Having spent nearly a year being homeless, Michael & Katie are due to be evicted from their homeless hostel accommodation by Torridge District Council, after the local authority found them to be "intentionally homeless".

Michael has been fighting this through his lawyers for 9 months without success.

After the final internal review by TDC, the decision to find them intentionally homeless was upheld and was served with an eviction notice with no rights to fight the notice in Court.

The landlord attempted to force Michael into signing a 'gagging order', barring him from telling anyone their story, especially the media. Michael refused and now the landlord is doing everything possible to ruin their chances of being re-housed; a threat made clear when Michael refused to sign.

They're currently in debt to the local authority as the removals from their previous property (around £600) and the monthly storage costs (around £300 PER MONTH) are all a loan by TDC, and this amount adds up faster than their able to pay.

Additionally, they pay a top-up on their nearly £400pw hostel accommodation.

All services being offered by TDC are charged back to Michael. With removals, storage, and high rent, they owe nearly £5,000 in 11 months.

HISTORY:

Following serious health hazards in their property and the repeated failure of their landlord to act over several years, their story was documented in a film made by Michael, which was discussed in the local press and Michael also appeared on the BBC.

The property was inspected by Environmental Health on at least 2 occasions and they refused to act, believing that the landlord would carry out the repairs.

Following the attention this story received, the landlord filed a no-fault section 21 notice and they were both evicted from the property and placed in emergency accommodation by Torridge District Council. Michael disputed the section 21 and decided to fight in Court. Unfortunately, the eviction was ordered because the Council had failed to take any enforcement action against the landlord.

After a 10-month battle between the Michael’s lawyers and Torridge District Council to secure new accommodation, the Council have found them to be “intentionally homeless” and will be evicted from the Council owned hostel and onto the streets on 14 August 2019.

Michael believes that the Council are seriously in the wrong and to allow him and Katie to be through out onto the streets just weeks before Katie starts College is deeply disturbing.

Michael has been documenting his experiences whilst dealing with Torridge District Council and now plans to publish this content. This includes recording made throughout the entire process.

With nowhere to go, it’s unknown where they’ll end up on 14 August 2019.

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