Vulnerable ex-offender found safe haven
We took on this case defending possession proceedings whilst our client was in prison on remand for assaulting his neighbours. His trial had been delayed due to Covid, and he had over £12,000 rent arrears at his temporary property, and could not return there on release due to bail conditions. We got a psychiatric assessment in prison which showed a diagnosis of personality disorders and PTSD. The landlord local authority had changed the locks whilst he was in prison and refused to let him have a new set. We defended the possession proceedings on public law and disability discrimination grounds, and sought an injunction requiring the landlord to give him new keys. We settled by the landlord agreeing to write off the rent arrears and to provide him with a new property.