Council willingly breaking law?

Council willingly breaking law?

10:07 AM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago 14

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Hello, upon visiting my local council in London to discuss the lawful eviction of a tenant due to selling up because of eye-watering landlord costs (now £3500 p/m), I have been informed that the council has instructed the tenant to remain until bailiffs arrive.

Upon challenging this and referring to the Homelessness Reduction Act as the tenant meets all the requirements to receive duty prevention, the council housing officer corroborated and replied “Yes we are breaking the law but we can”.
My question is, how can councils willingly state they can break statutory requirements and moreover, why is the local MP turning a blind eye when she has been fully informed of this? Corruption is at the heart of local authorities and parliamentary figures in attacking landlords. When will this stop!!

Thanks,

Mel

Editors Note: You can check out our article on councils acting illegally when telling tenants to stay put here


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Comments

Dilep

10:50 AM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!!

Mr.A

11:27 AM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

This is nothing new from the Clowncils 🤡
Last one out the PRS please turn the lights out .

TheMaluka

12:09 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

The usual rules apply, they have more money than you so you cannot mount a legal challenge. The richest entity usually wins, the council are fireproof.

C CA

14:11 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Dilep at 10/05/2023 - 10:50
Hi Mel, this is ONLY one of the pathetic situation from all levels of government. That why i have been arguing that LL and bodies "representing the sectors" need to get together under an umbrella with sufficient muscles to take legal action against and claim compensation to feed our defence. Is very common for them to break the law and them sing that "they not hesitate to take legal action against LL who the law. So, why cant we fight back??
Im no here defending any LL who break the Law.. is a matter for the enforcement authority. Equally the law abides must be able to educate the authority who cant even hold their trousers on shameless. Lawful LLs will be wiped out by the unlawful action of the enforcers... is pathetic

Jo Cark

15:35 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

The tenant might find accommodation with a relative or friend or move to another area. That's one reason they leave it until eviction.

Reluctant Landlord

16:53 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

report them to the Ombudsman - go to the papers too - find one that is anti council and give them the ammo they need!

Contact Shelter - for ONCE they might see it from the LL perspective? Put the emphasis on the council NOT upholding their DUTY so making the situation worse for the tenant...as now the tenant will be tarnished with having being evicted and the record of this following them forever more, whereas the council SHOULD move them before this point. Council therefore complicit in making the tenant in a worse situation long term.

Contact your MP to state that this is what the Council are doing. Name drop the bod at the council and remind them duty to house exists. You might find the tenant get shifted quicker?

Martin Roberts

17:10 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Might be worth pointing out to the tenant that they will be liable for court and bailiff costs, and if they have any rent arrears the council will likely refuse to house them.

Ian Narbeth

17:11 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Mel
Write to the Council confirming the conversation, mentioning the date, time and the name of the person you spoke to. Ask them to confirm that this is their policy. Don't complain too much at this stage. If they don't reply, badger them until they do. You want to "give them enough rope to hang themselves".
If you fire off to the Press, the Ombudsman, your MP etc. now it will be your word against theirs. Get things in writing so that it will be hard for them to deny.
When you are well equipped with evidence is the time to make a formal complaint and to write to the court pointing out that the Council is encouraging people to disobey court orders.

TheMaluka

17:49 PM, 10th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 10/05/2023 - 17:11
As usual a calm well measured response Ian.

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