Post by Patrick Torsney on Feb 8, 2011 13:25:13 GMT 1
Legal problems do not happen in isolation. By this, we don't mean that if someone has one legal problem they are likely to have other associated problems eg someone with welfare benefit problems being likely to have debts. Whilst this is generally true, when we use the phrase "do not happen in isolation" here, we mean that the consequences of one person experiencing a problem can have far wider ranging significances, to friends, colleagues and the community
Here someone was unable to pay their rent. Housing Benefit had ceased payments and the landlord took action, but not legal action. This type of illegal eviction is all too common
In this case study concerning Andrew, a part-time worker on a low wage and his young family, Gloucester Law Centre didn't just sort out his families eviction and housing benefit problems; by doing so, they resolved a dispute that had spilled over into the community
Just think: how would you react if your wife rang you at work crying, saying that the landlord had changed the locks on your home. Your partner and children are literally in the street. You have little or no money and no family to turn to. What would you do? Where would you go?
Here is Andrew's story:
Andrew lived had been living with his family in a rented property for 2 years when his Housing Benefit came up for review
Unfortunately, he experienced difficulty in securing evidence from his employer and, as a consequence, his Housing Benefit was cancelled
As soon as the payments ceased Andrew's landlord began to harass him for his rent, phoning him at all hours of the day and using threatening and abusive language
This escalated to a brick being thrown through the window terrifying the family. A few days later Mr A was then phoned at work by his wife to say that they had been locked out of the house. They went to the law centre as they had no-one else to turn to
We contacted the landlord explaining the illegality of his actions and the potential consequences of his actions should he not let the tenant and his family back into the property immediately
With no response from the landlord we sought alternative accommodation for the client, meanwhile securing legal aid to obtain an injunction from the County Court to compel the landlord to let Andrew and his family back into the property
Andrew and family were restored to the property and the Court awarded damages and costs to him in order to compensate him for the landlord’s behaviour
We (Gloucester Law Centre) also resolved the issue around the Housing Benefit and the claim was reinstated to the correct amount, resolving both the arrears and ongoing liability issues
Have you worked out what you would have done if in a similar position to Andrew yet?
Bear in mind that law centres nationally are now under serious threat of closure given the Governments current plans to reform legal aid - effectively, throwing a brick through the window of advice and damning the consequences
Here someone was unable to pay their rent. Housing Benefit had ceased payments and the landlord took action, but not legal action. This type of illegal eviction is all too common
In this case study concerning Andrew, a part-time worker on a low wage and his young family, Gloucester Law Centre didn't just sort out his families eviction and housing benefit problems; by doing so, they resolved a dispute that had spilled over into the community
Just think: how would you react if your wife rang you at work crying, saying that the landlord had changed the locks on your home. Your partner and children are literally in the street. You have little or no money and no family to turn to. What would you do? Where would you go?
Here is Andrew's story:
Andrew lived had been living with his family in a rented property for 2 years when his Housing Benefit came up for review
Unfortunately, he experienced difficulty in securing evidence from his employer and, as a consequence, his Housing Benefit was cancelled
As soon as the payments ceased Andrew's landlord began to harass him for his rent, phoning him at all hours of the day and using threatening and abusive language
This escalated to a brick being thrown through the window terrifying the family. A few days later Mr A was then phoned at work by his wife to say that they had been locked out of the house. They went to the law centre as they had no-one else to turn to
We contacted the landlord explaining the illegality of his actions and the potential consequences of his actions should he not let the tenant and his family back into the property immediately
With no response from the landlord we sought alternative accommodation for the client, meanwhile securing legal aid to obtain an injunction from the County Court to compel the landlord to let Andrew and his family back into the property
Andrew and family were restored to the property and the Court awarded damages and costs to him in order to compensate him for the landlord’s behaviour
We (Gloucester Law Centre) also resolved the issue around the Housing Benefit and the claim was reinstated to the correct amount, resolving both the arrears and ongoing liability issues
Have you worked out what you would have done if in a similar position to Andrew yet?
Bear in mind that law centres nationally are now under serious threat of closure given the Governments current plans to reform legal aid - effectively, throwing a brick through the window of advice and damning the consequences