Friend evicting elderly tenant

[AppalachianWoman]

Would it change the way you felt about your friend if he evicted an elderly (70+) tenant so he could move into the house instead? The rent was paid upfront through a lifetime of agricultural labor from late childhood but the friend who recently inherited the estate feels they are owed cash payments and the property. The tenant cannot read or write and was widowed a year or two ago, has no children of his own but some step children from his marriage. The friend currently occupies another, smaller, property on the estate and was expected to move into the largest house which is very grand indeed but requires extensive renovation. He is daunted by the work and expense and has instead become fixated on the property the elderly farmhand lives in.

It feels emotionally immature of me to drop a friend over a difference in values but I am shocked that he would even consider this course of action. I don’t want to be friends with someone who acts this way, how can I exit gracefully or should I try to support him as he has supported me emotionally through decades of friendship?

I really really hope this old man’s lawyers find a loop hole that as he’s been in the property for so many years he actually owns it outright now.

Also what PP said, these communities are small, your ‘friend’ will never be able to go into the local pub, get local labour and his life will be made a misery by everyone. Parents won’t be keeping their kids off his land and locals won’t be keeping an eye out either. Big estates mean he’ll need the local community on his side.

I must find a house to squat in and a loophole in law that I own it after a certain period of time lol.

Utter cunts

Why? Because he's not charitably housing a man for free in a 4 bed home?

Evil triumphs because good people do nothing.

You're a good 'un @AppalachianWoman.

Is it just me or have other people seen an increase in awful, selfish, self entitled behaviour in recent times ?

Just because someone's made poor lifestyle choices doesn't mean they should cause someone else hardship (or live in anther person's property for free).

What a horrible thing to say.

Being born into a family of agricultural labourers isn't a life style choice. Being illiterate (maybe due to lack of opportunities or most likely undiagnosed dyslexia, ADHD etc.) is not a lifestyle choice. He chose to work loyally on the estate for low pay on the understanding he would keep the house for life. His entitlement.

What he can legally do depends on the tenancy. This from Shelter implies that the tenant has more security if he’s been a tenant before January 1989. I hope there is someone who can advocate for this poor tenant. Please tell your friend that whatever the legalities he’s cruel and needs to honour the promises made to low paid workers and ex-workers who are paid so badly they need the security of tied homes to survive. england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/farm_workers_living_in_tied_accommodation

That isn't what is happening though. It's not charity.

on the understanding he would keep the house for life

NOWHERE HAS THAT BEEN STATED!

Being illiterate (maybe due to lack of opportunities or most likely undiagnosed dyslexia, ADHD etc.)

NOWHERE HAS THAT BEEN STATED!

I'd consider reporting this situation to Adult Services too as your friend's treatment of this man is potentially abusive/ exploitative. They could help him get legal advice.

If he allows the farmhand to remain in a four bed home and realistically, the man may well live another 20 years, it is in fact charity to allow him to remain. The elderly man has no legal right to the house.

@Feef83 He would qualify for a basic state pension even if he had not been properly advised to pay contributions - he would also qualify for part of his deceased wife's pension. Electricity and other services can often be run through the estate to set against tax. He is only 70 so chopping wood for an open fire or closed stove wouldn't be beyond him. Increasing council tax might be a problem.

I agree with a pp that OP should try and get help for him after herself contacting Age UK and the relevant farmer's union from one of our four groups. And finding out if he can have someone advocate for him if he has family. Agree a local vicar or pub (used to be the post office) or solicitor who would work pro bono. Presuming OP knows the tenant's name.

To avoid all the fuss it might be better if OP's erstwhile friend swapped his current three bed with the older chap despite its improvements for the four bed. Because he is paying other people to manage the estate he may be cash poor - and hoping to rent one or tother of the homes out or as a holiday let while he raises funds to modernise the big house. He will find it hard if he ends up in a legal battle with the opprobium of the local community.

Your 'friend' is behaving despicably. The poor tenant would be well advised to contact one of the specific farming charities such as RABI or FCN (both have websites and will have local contacts) who will be able to advise on the legalities of the situation. As others have said, this could also be referred to Adult social services as a potential safeguarding issues.

Thats precisely what happened to the late Queen Mother's devoted lifetime servant known as Backstairs Billy who was promised a grace and favour residence by her and whilst her body was still warm was evicted. He died of a broken heart in a shabby flat in Walworth. The rich on the whole are ruthless and lacking in empathy and thats why they are rich sadly.

You don't know he has no legal right.

The OP stated he is illiterate. I suggested a couple of reasons why this might be the case.

Havn’t read the whole thread or responses however one thing that majorly jumped out is that the now elderly man could be classed as a victim of modern day slavery given the pittance pay and his vulnerability ( doesn’t rad to right). ABSOLUTE shame on your friend for his reaction to this!!

I’d be surprised if he can evict him. I know someone living in a similar set up. Apparently if they have lived/worked there they can continue once retired. As long as there is a contract. The problem with many landlords -greed.

Your friend has compassion as you say he has supported you. the tenants position is based in farming history and the area of tied agricultural tenancy. Historically workers were tied to farms, lived in tenant cottages and worked the land. This was from an era when land costs were lower, labour intensive and machinery used less. This sounds like an old (pre 1989?) type of tied agricultural tenancy. I don't think your friend 'can' actually evict him - even if he sells the land. Take advice from a housing charity e.g.shelter or local charity, CAB (its free). But I think the best strategy is to help your friend understand how this arrangement came about and why - this may help him understand the tenant is not a squatter or freeloader! If he's inherited farming land - he really should have listened better to the stories of working farm life from his ancestors. You could post this on mums net legal too.

Perhaps the OP is busy contacting agencies who might actually assist this older gentleman, rather than sit online spitting elitist views ..... just my opinion.

Noblesse Oblige.
I doubt your friend will understand that.

Set up a go fund me if needed op. I am happy to contribute. I thought my last landlord was the king of the c*nts. Section 21 when I was battling serious illness.
You need new friends. Greed is very unattractive and there are no pockets in a shroud. My old boss had his house burnt down in a Welsh farming village. He was a bastard too.

I feel sorry for the elderly tenant, poor chap!

Yes, I'd struggle to be friends with someone who could evict a vulnerable person. If the elderly tenant is illiterate, has little money and no family to rely on what does your friend think will happen? This man could end up homeless. Would your friend not consider a house swap?

I think this would be a good course of action

Why? Because he's not charitably housing a man for free in a 4 bed home?

Have you actually read the OP?

And OP is most likely at work considering it’s the middle of a week day and not every job allows phones.

I sincerely hope the old man has gone to see a solicitor, just on the bare information you provide, I can see a potential claim.

Your friend's actions are a bit 'meh', but he clearly doesn't understand the implications of the farmhand working for a pittance - he may well have been promised a home for life on the basis of it.

They both need legal advice.

As for your problem, be a friend - tell him his actions are 'meh' and you don't like it and it has made you think differently of him and has he even thought of how this is all making him look. If he reacts badly, you lose a friend, but sounds like you're up for losing him anyway, so why not tell him the reasons why.

I would not want to be friends with someone who could be so callous and selfish. I would not just let the friendship drop, but would explain why. If I was doing something awful, I hope a decent friend would at least try to explain to me why I was in the wrong. If you can't persuade him not to do this, then can you help the tenant get support - maybe from the council, CAB or Age UK?