Act Quickly

If you’re ever unlucky enough to find yourself in these circumstances you must act very quickly. If a possession order does come through your door it will have the date that the possession becomes effective already on it. If you have been aware for some time that financial difficulties surround your landlord (e.g. loads of mail and no forwarding address), apply through the county court on a form N224 to be joined to the proceedings. This means that although you still won’t be able to stop the possession, you may be given a little extra time in which to find somewhere else to live before the locks are changed.

In any of these circumstances don’t just sit around worrying or hoping the situation will somehow disappear. It is already deeply serious once lenders begin taking action. Make an immediate appointment with your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Legal Aid centre, or local council. Here staff have the experience which you need to help you retrieve the best from what are truly awful circumstances. They may help you with legal paperwork, or even ask the landlord’s lender at least to give you time to find new accommodation.

Tenants in this dreadful position lose out in every aspect. Deposits have been paid, and rent duly delivered, and in truth all may be lost. Theoretically you can take legal action against your landlord, because he owes you money, and you may even be entitled to compensation. However it can be very difficult indeed, especially if you don’t have your landlord’s current address. Let alone if you’re one in a long line of creditors. Discuss all these matters with whomever you have approached for guidance.

Landlords Behaving Badly

Whatever the motivation, its effects are often appalling. Here are a few to consider.

• Landlord’s workmen doing work to the property over a very long time and in a way to maximise inconvenience.
• Landlords or their staff barging in and out of the property uninvited and repeatedly.
• Having the landlord’s friend or relative move into the next flat and play loud music constantly.
• Shouting and swearing abuse at tenants.
• Changing the locks so tenants can’t get into their home.
• Turning off the water, gas or electricity.
• Stealing your mail.
• Taking your possessions from your home.
• Sexual or racial abuse.

Ah, but things have changed... mmmm. This happened to me less than a year ago.

Of course, as the number of more secure tenancies has declined, some of these stories have reduced, but as you see, some tenants still end up in the hands of despotic landlords. Even with automatic rights of possession some landlords can behave appallingly if, say, tenants fall behind with their rent. If your landlord is behaving in any way that makes you uncomfortable (as opposed to irritated), get in touch with the tenancy relations officer at your local council – they are usually prompt and effective. There are laws to protect you – but, as the last anecdote shows only too clearly, unless physical violence is involved, they’re not always as effective as they ought to be.