Leeds City Council v WT, Claim No. 9LS51736, HHJ Cockcroft, 19 June 2012

WT had been the Council’s Secure Tenant of a ground floor one bedroom flat in a sheltered complex since 2007.  The Council sought possession on Grounds 1, 2 & 3 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985.  The claim rested on WT having caused or allowed deterioration in the condition of his flat by neglect: his entire time at the flat was characterised by complaints from his neighbours about flies, pigeons being allowed in, smells of stale food, urine and other human waste products, all typical of self-neglect and chronic alcohol consumption.  Council officers found the flat to be filthy and neglected.  There was little evidence of direct antagonism between WT and his neighbours.

Please click here to read the full article.