Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

George

It's good to see you back! :thumb:

From what you've posted, you are based in East London. There is a legal advice place I've used, mostly for employment matters, but they also deal with housing issues. It's been a while since I've been there but I've just checked their website and they are doing housing advice sessions on Thursdays. The centre is in Tower Hamlets, which could well be your own local authority. :noidea:

http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/legal-advice

Thursday

Housing and Consumer Rights

Dealing exclusively with tenants in the public sector and private sector, this service deals with all Landlord and Tenant issues; including Council House provision, eviction, overcrowding, disrepair, neighbours and fitness for habitation.

How to find us

Toynbee Hall’s Free Legal Advice Centre is based at Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LS. When you arrive, register at the reception desk and you will be advised on the approximate waiting time.
How to find Toynbee Hall

Contact us

If you have any questions about our free legal advice service please call us on 020 7392 2978 or by email at flac@toynbeehall.org.uk

Supporting private tenants through reform

Tenancy Talks Tower Hamlets is a free, independent and confidential advice service for anyone who live in Tower Hamlets. We provide one-to-one advice and support for private renters/tenants affected by the changes in the welfare system.
We can support you to:

• Assess how changes to the benefits system will affect your household’s income.
• Assess whether you will be able to continue to afford to pay your rent.
• Advise on your housing rights and if necessary explore alternative housing options.
• Refer you for specialist debt, money management advice and other support as required.
• Advocate on your behalf e.g. speaking to your landlord or council about any housing/financial problems.

Need Advice? Arrange an appointment today

Call 020 7392 2953 or email advice@toynbeehall.org.uk

[George Smiley]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Good morning

2 updates:

Council/Housing:

The council has made contact through their lawyer and they are now claiming that they are willing to let me back to my flat due to medical reasons only (they've totally disregarded all other reasons) but on the following conditions:

1. I accept not to go back to court on 3rd (next tuesday)
2. I dont claim any compensation on anything

My lawyer has not accepted any out of court settlement which will exclude compensation. And has told their if they continue to behave as they are we will made an extensive claim at the court on 3rd.

They've responded by WRONGLY stating that they cleared part of my rent arrear (£450) as well as court fees( while in truth I cleared what I owed them £930 by making a total payment of £ 990 (24 hrs) before the eviction day and made another £100 on the eviction day and I have all the evidence for this which was also given to the court, local MP and the chair for the housing at my borough.

request:

Based on my case (for those who have been following), I've never made any compensation from anyone/institution but would like your opinion/suggestions if I were to make a claim. I would be better what I could have a list for :

a) Out of court settlement (as suggested by the council)

b) In court settlement (on 3rd) assuming the judge will rule in my favour

HOMELESS:

Homeless (who are also the council) have also made a contact and wants to discuss my housing options on 4th (next wednesday...a day after the court hearing) coincidence? I dont know but...considering I'm suing the council, I wonder how they will made a fair assessment on my homelessness (if I'm intentional homeless or Un intentionally homeless, or if they have any responsibility to re-house me or not). Its like a case of same person who is the police, prosecutor and the judge who decides my fate.

Question:

My lawyer has said i should not talk to the homeless team about anything and I should instruct them to talk to my lawyer, do you guys think this is a good idea or should I just listen to my lawyer?

HEALTH:
my employer has given me time off so I could sort myself out, I'm starting counselling today with the mental health. I still get anxiety attachs, I cant sleep and still feel suiciday with the whole events.

Have I given up? no, do I have the will to continue to live? yes, I'm I capable? I would like to think I am. But the fact that still remain is I know I'm not the same person. This issue has traumatised me mentally and I dont know what the future holds.


Any comments, views, opinions, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[PlanB]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

The council has made contact through their lawyer and they are now claiming that they are willing to let me back to my flat due to medical reasons only (they've totally disregarded all other reasons)

Wow. That's brilliant news. I can't believe you're going to get your home back :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

I would trust your lawyer to do the best deal possible when it comes to compensation. If the council are unwilling to go on record as paying you money for the distress they've caused then maybe you could seek a 'rent free' period instead - how about one year

Just because the council have made you an offer before the hearing that doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to win if you go ahead with it. There could be other reasons why they're doing this. Perhaps to save on legal fees, or to avoid a precedent which could encourage other victims of the *intentionally homeless* flawed argument to chase them. I doubt the council will withdraw that offer prior to next Tuesday's hearing so there's plenty of time for your lawyer to do some hard bargaining on your behalf :argue:

[PlanB]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

My lawyer has not accepted any out of court settlement which will exclude compensation. And has told their if they continue to behave as they are we will made an extensive claim at the court on 3rd.

I've looked up some successful compensation claims for unlawful eviction (because that's what this is) and it seems the *going rate* ordered by the court is £200 per day for starters How many days since you were evicted?

Read these examples for inspiration:

http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/2010/0...-legal-action/

[Bill-K]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Well done to you, George, for having the sheer guts to stick with this and see it through - and I am so pleased to see that 'The Man on the Clapham Omnibus' can still make a damn difference in this world. Well done to all those who have helped you get your home back. Of COURSE - you will not forget this traumatic episode in your life - but do try and let your anger subside, and gather your thoughts and experiences calmly.

As they say - "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" - and you are that much stronger for all of this - even if it doesn't feel like it right now. You, sir, have my deepest admiration.

[TUTTSI]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Fantastic news George and I sincerely hope that your lawyer will get you the best deal possible before next weeks hearing. Keep your pecker up as you have a lot of support here at LB and I am sure this will be a victory and will be twittered for the millions to see how badly you were treated.

[Sapphire]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Well George, many, many congratulations to you, and please do go for some form of compensation, like PlanB says the very least you can go for is a rent free period although I'd personally go for being very cheeky and try for at least a couple of years, maybe five, but thats just me, I believe that you aim high and they will go low, and then with negotiations you can meet somewhere in the middle.
Re your mental health, there's a few of us on here that have been there and got the t-shirt in various forms, I believe that this 'experience' will stand you in good stead and that if you allow it, it will make you stronger, just make sure that if you feel yourself going down then make sure you shout out for help.

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Excellent news, George! :high5: :high5: :high5:

Hope you get the compo you deserve :wof: :wof: :wof: for unnecessarily putting you through all that hassle! It probably cost them a lot more on B&B, removals, fees, etc. than if they'd just allowed you to stay put! :rant: :rant: :rant: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2:

[Celestine]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Just one short, but incredibly moving excerpt:

http://agirlcalledjack.com/2013/06/0...t-3-june-2013/

Sitting at my desk in floods of tears....I have a 2 year old and that 'got me'.

[Celestine]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Congratulations on getting your home back George! I am so happy to read this development, even though I really think the Council need a good kicking for the hell they've put you through. I hope you will stay a part of the LB community because you have inspired many of us with your courage and bravery. You may feel psychologically battered by what you have been through but you will have learnt a great deal and may be able to help others from being 'pushed in the river'.

Huge hugs to you xxx

[labman]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Cel - if that moved you, you should look up some of the others. Just make sure you have a box of tissues to hand.

[Celestine]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Cel - if that moved you, you should look up some of the others. Just make sure you have a box of tissues to hand.

I don't dare while I'm at work! PT glanced over at me sobbing while he was on a call and I think he thought I'd lost it....... But then I made him read it and it had a similar effect on him :tung:

[labman]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

I don't dare while I'm at work! PT glanced over at me sobbing while he was on a call and I think he thought I'd lost it....... But then I made him read it and it had a similar effect on him :tung:

They'll be wondering who the heck they've taken on!

[enaid]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

Well done all concerned another fab outcome.

[charitynjw]

Re: Evicted, Homeless & Suicidal

All the best, George.

& well done the 'A' Team!