Landlord has changed locks

Guest101

45002 wrote: »

Your friend should find a housing Solicitor who deals with legal aid cases ASAP and start legal action for damages for unlawful eviction under 1988 Housing act

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/part/I/chapter/IV

Just to note, If you go down this route for civil damages, LL could counter sue for the rent arrears.

good luck

The civil damages are around £300 a day.


Then there's punitive damages on top.


Let the LL countersue

Guest101

deannatrois wrote: »

She needs to get on with pressing charges, get her social worker to do the same, and then get some help with explaining to the council that living in the property puts her in danger (rather obviously) and so she can't be rehoused in that house. Shelter should advise as a matter of urgency.

As she is a vulnerable adult, see if there are any charities that will help (with advice and support) - there are in my area. She could also see if there is a community mental health hub in her area (ask her GP).., mine has a housing officer to advise vulnerable people. With mine you can self refer. Women's Aid might well help as well.

Very sorry this has happened to your friend.

If your friend is a vulnerable adult, she can also use this to make sure she is given suitable emergency accommodation so needs to start thinking of reasons why B&B etc isn't suitable. I have ASD, my sons both have it and we were able to make a case with the council that their normal single room hostel accommodation wasn't suitable and were placed in a maisonette instead. It was explained that because my son's had a lack of boundaries and weren't good with unknowns and noise, public facilities wouldn't work for them, and being around a constantly moving population, some of whom might pose safety risks, would be a risk for them (in a 9 page bullet pointed letter lol so a bit more to it than that). It was necessary to get support from professionals for this as well.

We don't 'press charges' in the UK.


They can make a statement, and the police can follow up and pass to the CPS, who may or may not charge.


OR can bring a private prosecution, but you need upwards of £10,000 for that

[Deleted User]

OP - I hope your friend is getting some useful advice

helphelphelphelp

I am waiting t get a further update from my friend. At the moment she has been told that unless she wants to continue to stay with a friend until the house situation is resolved, the council can put her into emergency accommocation. But with this being as far away as Norwich which would leave her without any access to her support networks, she is reluctant to do so.

Am still waiting to hear if the police are going to prosecute. I know my friend is keen for this to happen. She only had superficial injuries but following the harrassment over the past year think she is just fed up now. She still cant get into the house as the police have to look at it first due to my friends allegations that property has been removed and destroyed so she has been told to wait until the locksmith gets them in and the police have checked it over.

Thanks everyone for your time and advice

[Deleted User]

I think she will find that if she can get letters from professionals saying she has support networks/health services/health professionals essential to her health locally, as a vulnerable person, the council will have to house her locally, in suitable accommodation. Council's do Gatekeep and don't give full information lol. Get her to speak to her social worker. But sometimes they aren't as helpful as they could be.., so try and get her to find her local community mental health centre and see if they have a housing adviser. Or phone Shelter.

If you want to pm me, I can provide a copy of the letter I wrote to my council to help get them to see that the emergency accommodation they were going to provide wasn't suitable. We did get suitable accommodation. The letter itself wasn't used (they only accepted letters from professional) but the argument was successful lol.

Guest101

Contact a solicitor with tenancy law experience.

Claim damages of £300 a day + punitive for the assault.

helphelphelphelp

After a call today I think there may be some progress. The house has been deemed unsafe for her following the assault by the landlord. She has been given priority due to her mental health and also that its not practical to uproot three children who are school age. The landlord has been advised that she is not to visit the property nor contact the tenant. The gas certificate is due but the council have said for the engineer to contact the tenant directly.

In the meantime the council are looking to prosecute for illegal eviction and my friend is to see a solicitor to claim for compensation for not having the use of her home during this time etc, damaged furniture.

Still waiting for an update on if the police will be prosecuting for the assault

Thanks again