Eviction in the UK, what are some good delaying tactics? against bad landlord?

Question

Hi

A friend is in court next week for an eviction hearing from her private landlord, she had an assured shorthold tenancy for 6 months but she carried on living there for 1 year still paying rent.

How can she prolong the eviction process? here is some brief history so far.

This year she fell behind 5 months with the rent, the landlord went in her home whilst she was away and boxed up all her stuff changed the locks and told her not to come back.

On her return the homelessness prevention unit at manchester council forced him to let her back in as he was breaking the tennancy laws, he has now gone through the courts to get an eviction order. The date is for next week.

His wife came down and threatened her and grabbed her arm, she pushed his wife away and she filed an assault charge.

Since then he has been spreading lies to the police and neighbours about her and had her arrested and interrogated for 4 hours regarding the pushing, the police are unlikely to pursue the assault charge

Answer 1

This is why I would never rent out to anyone, the law is on the tenants sid if they fall behind payments BUT if it was a mortgage and you fall behind for 5 months then your home is reprocessed

Answer 2

i don't understand why she wants to stay with a landlord like that. she also needs to pay what she owes, too. why doesn't she just try to find somewhere else to live before it gets to the point when the bailiffs are called in.

Answer 3

A good delaying tactic would be for her to pay him the money she owes!

The landlord shouldn't have entered her home but in all fairness the man and his wife are probably at their wits end with her.   5 months is a long time not to pay any rent, she should probably count herself lucky that she got away with that for so long.

Answer 4

'She fell 5 months behind with the rent'

Would she carry on working for 5 months if her employer was 'behind' with her pay? (assuming she works)

A pity he can't physically throw her through the bloody window - I would!

Answer 5

She should go ahead and present as homeless to the council. She should eventually gt a house with rent she can afford, and a much more secure tenancy. It can't be good for her being in that environment anyway. Tell her to call Shelter.

Answer 6

Only a judge can order a repossession, but they will usually only delay in order for the debtor to put a proposal together to clear the arrears.  It sounds like its a bit late for that now.

I'd get your friend to contact the council for new accomodation.

Answer 7

Well put JG, some people want it all on a plate.

You wonder who THEY think is in the wrong!