Hello members of this forum.
I'm new to this forum on CAG as I've spent most of my time in the Bank charges and Debt forums. I'm seeking assistance as on 14 July 2008 I will no longer be a secure tenant as I was served a Notice to Quit (NTQ) on 12 June 2008.
The reason given by by Residents Management Office (RMO) is that they believe that my property is not my principle home. They stated that they believe another address and put this address on their notice (it's my boyfriend's).
I spend a lot of time with my boyfriend and with with members of my extended family. I also have an open door policy which means a good friend has access to my property and is always around to make sure that everything is in order.
The background to my story is that I was a student for years, had young children and juggling work all at the same time. It's great the things that you think you can take on in your twenties!
The bad thing about this is that I developed a condition called Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) in 2000 and since then it had blighted my life. My immune system is compromised so it produces antibodies as though I am having an allergic reaction to something. However, I have had blood and allergy tests and nothing has been pin-pointed as the underlying cause. Over the last 8 years I have noticed that it tends to come on more when I am extremely stressed and exhausted. My CIU affected my studies, work and pretty much my life.
I had to repeat my first year of University in 2000 and in that same year I was denied Housing Benefit. It had taken my local authority (Lambeth Council) over 8 months to assess me and tell me NO! I started a first stage appeal but never got anywhere. This caused me to fall into arrears as my employment was casual and it's pretty hard going trying to buy books, pay for childcare and buy the essentials on a student income.
To cut a really long story short, after 5 years of going back and forth to court, facing eviction 3 times, I finally cleared my rent arrears in 2005. I had previously been ordered to pay my rent + £2.90 a week. If I had done this, I would have been paying off my arrears (over £2500) until I was in my 80s! I effectively put my studies on hold to get a full time job so that I could have a guaranteed income to pay the arrears off.
Since this time I was back in court in 2006 because I fell into arrears for a month and my RMO couldn't wait to take me to court. By the time we got to court I had already cleared the arrears and was in credit. Before the case they had told me that they would not oppose me staying in the property but then sent the most partisan housing officer they could find. The judge was impressed that I had paid off my arrears in 1 year. He only awarded them their cost because I had been £500 in arrears at the time of their application. He was not impressed with the Housing Officer who told him that he had tried to contact me at various times. I told the judge that if they were coming at various times in the day, I would not be at home as I am full time working mother.
Back to my NTQ. In May 2008 my RMO all but accused me of sub-letting my property (I haven't) and told me that they would be conducting random tenancy checks without prior notice to me, as I could make something appear to be as it is not ??? They have been as good as their word and have persisted in coming to my property at all manner of times during the day. However the worst instances were this week when on two different days they have come at 9 and 10pm? Do these constitute reasonable hours? I didn't open the door for them, neither did my friend who was in the flat on the other occasion.
I think that my RMO is unhappy that I have requested the information that they used to come to the decision to serve me with the NTQ, under Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Freedom of Information Act). Despite all their delaying tactics my question (plus two others I posed) has been allowed under Freedom of Information Act and they have until 28 July to furnish me with the information. I have also written them letters stating that the whole thing is affecting my health and I feel that I am being targeted. They now want to meet with me to discuss the NTQ but I can't really get the time off. Besides, my previous experience with them is that they say one thing, do another and twist any conversation, especially when it gets to court. I have asked them to communicate by correspondence but they are yet to take up this offer
Surely the time for discussion was BEFORE serving the NTQ?
I am worried as although I know I have no legal obligation to leave the property on 14 July, they threatened to get a Notice Seeking Possession, if I don't give them vacant possession on this date.
After having not suffered an attack in over a year my CIU has returned with a vengeance. I have been off work as I cannot work when I am covered from head to toe in hives, and suffering from angioedema which causes swelling in my limbs (esp. my fingers). I am an Office Manager and a busy PA, so the fingers thing is a problem....
Anyway, sorry for rambling I've missed a lot out but hope I have included all the salient points. I hope that someone amongst you can give some advice. I have spoken to a solicitor but they have advised that there is nothing that can be done until the NTQ expires. I am so angry, as it was only a year ago I had my secure tenancy re-instated. I have my suspicions on how they obtained my boyfirend's address and also as to why they started targeting me in the first place but I need to substantiate this.
Anyway I look forward to hearing from any of you.
deedee
Notice to Quit served by Local Authority 
