to ask for help and advice on this situation

[needadvice23]

I?ve namechanged because I need to protect anonymity.

I went to see my brother (who is 19) in his house for the first time in the 3 months he?s lived there and I?m so scared for him after what I?ve seen and what he has told me. He lives in a shared house with 2 girls who are around 22-25, he doesn?t actually know their exact ages. They?re both members of a gang and and a range of people connected to this gang are regularly in the house. They?ve set times when he is allowed in the kitchen to make food and when he is allowed in the bathroom, he is not allowed to be in there outside of this allotted times, and he is not allowed in the sitting room at anytime whatsoever.

Each bedroom has an individual locked door (thankfully) and my brother keeps his door locked at all times and frankly he is absolutely petrified of them (the main reason it was my first visit was that he had told me that under no circumstance was dd to be brought to the home). One of them hammered on his door when I was there and he nearly jumped out of his skin and the picture of fear on his face was shocking as he went to answer the door.

Both of them have threatened him with violence saying that if he doesn?t do what they say then they would happily beat and strangle him or get someone to give him the prison shower treatment. He has complained to the landlord but he does not seem to care one iota as ?inter-tenant relations are none of his concern as long as the rent is paid? and he cannot move because he is locked into a contract and he is reliant on housing benefit so getting housing is difficult anyway (he only has a job in a bar which offers very few hours).

I?m so scared on his behalf, I can?t take him in as I don?t have another room and it would probably make a mess of my housing arrangements , our dad has passed away and our mum threw him out at the behest of her soon to be new husband who hates him (and my mum says she?s happy to be free of the burden he placed on her). I feel like reporting the situation to the police but he is most insistent that I shouldn?t do this (I?m tempted to anyway). Although I?m so scared for him and really need advice on what I/he should do because up until today he?d hidden this all from me.

The landlord may not know, of course....

Yes- live in is an excellent idea.

Speak to Shelter, he needs to get out of there ASAP

If he's on hb himself will it really affect yours if he stays with you? Shelter should be able to advise on this as well.

I've spent the last four years renting a room in a house share in two different properties and both have been fab. I only left the first as the girl I shared with was buying a house and the landlord had decided to let the flat as a whole property. My sister also uses similar arrangements in Manchester including when she was on hb.

I agree, let him stay with you for a bit while he sorts something. I lost three friend to suicide at this age due to them getting caught up in the wrong situations and feeling out if their depth. It's easily done.

Yes speak to Shelter & CAB and get him out of there as soon as possible. Can he alternate sleeping in different peoples couches so he is classed as a visitor rather than a resident?

Would it be safe to get advice from the police on the none emergency number or will it be potentially dangerous for him?

What are his long term plans while he job hunts? Would he consider going to college in Sept to get him out of the house? Depending on his experience etc he could register at a temping agency like Brook St or Manpower to gain more experience. Get him to have a look at the job pages of Manchester university/ College y websites as they will be hiring bar/ canteen staff for the new term. As well as admin staff so it is worth a look. More importantly get him out as soon as possible.

At 19 he is eligible for Foyer accommodation, I'm not from Manchester but I know there are a couple of Foyers there. I suggest you take him to the nearest and ask for advice on getting out of where he is now and getting a place there. As PPs have said better to lose out on the current arrangements and be safe.

Another thought - an alternative to the police might be informing the council anti social behaviour team about the address, they then may put pressure on the landlord to sort it out.