Moving Forwards

Jan moved to the UK from Poland in 2008 with his wife and young son.  He worked as a painter and decorator, and had a nice family home in the private rented sector.

In early 2009, the family were unlawfully evicted and locked out of their home.  They found themselves with no money, no belongings and no support network.  After coming to DHA for legal advice and representation, the family are now happily re-housed.

Jan’s wife was physically removed from the property, before the locks were changed to their home and all their belongings taken.  With little more than £2 and nowhere to go the family spent two nights on the streets. 

When they came to DHA they were given advice and housed in a SmartShare property. The advice team pursued the case to County Court and an injunction was granted instructing the landlord to allow the family back into the property. This injunction was breached, and so, continuing to fight for the family’s rights the legal team took the case to trial. On balance of evidence built up by DHA, the landlord withdraw from the trial and asked to settle. The judge granted compensation and damages amounting to £9,500 plus all legal costs incurred, estimated at £17,000.