Over a number of years, Wyre Forest Community Housing (WFCH) attempted to engage with a tenant as a serious hoarding problem had been highlighted within her home. Despite this engagement, and the involvement of over 20 friends, charities and health professionals, the tenant refused to address her issues. This left WFCH with no option but to apply for possession of the property due to continued breaches of tenancy conditions. There were real health and safety concerns not only to herself, but to other residents in the immediate area.
On 30th June 2015, this matter was brought before Telford County Court where the District Judge, having regard to the quality and quantity of evidence presented before him, had no hesitation in granting a 14 day possession order, with associated orders to clear her rent arrears and a proportion of the Company’s legal costs.
However, the tenant failed to vacate the property as ordered by the Court, choosing to appeal the decision.
On 10th August 2015, she presented her reasons as to why the original ruling should be overturned to another District Judge sitting at Worcester County Court.
This appeal was subsequently rejected, as was a further appeal made to a Circuit Judge, later that same day. This resulted in the property being returned to WFCH with no further issues.
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For a little over a year, WFCH has been receiving complaints from a number of private residents in Cookley, Nr Kidderminster, concerning the alleged anti-social behaviour perpetrated by one of our tenants. These ranged from loud revving of car engines and loud, offensive music, to harassment and threats of violence.
Throughout this time, Officers from WFCH’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Unit and the local police, worked with all involved parties in an attempt to resolve the issues raised. However, allegations of serious ASB continued, leaving no option other than to instigate Court proceedings against the tenant.
On 29th September 2015, this case was heard at Worcester County Court where the tenant, having regard to the evidence presented to the Court at this time (which included not only written statements, but CCTV and audio evidence), signed an Undertaking to the Court in which he agreed to a number of conditions. These included not to engage in ‘conduct capable of causing a nuisance or annoyance to any person residing or visiting’ the specific area of Cookley, not to use abusive, insulting or intimidating language or behaviour, not to play loud music and not to use or threaten violence in the same specific area of Cookley.
