Thanks to both of you who replied. To be honest I am fed up giving him advice because he never acts on anything. (Even his solicitor gave up on him over an issue with an ex-employer). I was trying not to get too involved but I know someone in the legal dept. at the council so I may well try to have a private chat with him. I'll put another post with the outcome.

I know this thread is over 12 months old but still very interesting. A friend of mine purchased a house for cash in Oct 2005. For the past 6 months he has been harrassed by Rossendale Bully Boys who say it is a council house and he owes rent from April 2005. Even the police acknowledge they get a lot of complaints about Rossendales tactics. He was so frightened late one night he finished up in the local A&E with a suspected heart attack. A Community Officer has been with my friend to the council to tell them to call off the dogs & show them the deeds etc. but still Rossendales harrass him.