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Legal matters

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Original poster

Do I have a case against the council?

125 replies

communication1 · 16/09/2024 20:02

I am looking for a lawyer who deals with council queries.

A little back story: 1 year of antisocial behaviour. Council didn't move us in time. The guy set our flat on fire deliberately and tried to kill us while we slept. Sadly someone passed away. The guy has been charged with arson with the potential to cause injury and manslaughter.

I would like to take the council to court for negligence, physical and mental trauma.

Ps. We escaped by jumping from 2nd floor flat, threw my then 3 and 4 year old children out of the window. We also lost everything.

OP posts:
GinandGingerBeer · 17/09/2024 18:12

Ahh shit! Fee! not feel.
Sorry op!

Original poster
communication1 · 17/09/2024 21:14

GinandGingerBeer · 17/09/2024 18:11

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Maybe like a PP said, try a no win no feel solicitor- I don't know how much of a cut they take but it could be an option
So when you were left with only the clothes you stood in- did the council manage to find you somewhere then? And if they did, how come they couldn't before it came to this?

Thank you.

I think I'll get a lawyer. Yes, they put us in temporary accommodation until we were housed.

The issue I have with them is the lack of urgency and delay with everything.

This is us on ITV news
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/catch-up-on-itv-calendar-north-from-monday-16th-september/mnf9bwl

OP posts:
Original poster
communication1 · 17/09/2024 21:16

isthesolution · 17/09/2024 14:35

That sounds awful. Your poor family.

I don't really see how it was the councils fault though. They were looking into your complaints. They can't have known he was going to do this.

Sorry I'm not sure how this works and Google wasn't sure either - don't you still have contents insurance to cover the replacement of items in your house? Or, if the council have this, maybe you can claim from the insurance ?

Thank you.

The council knew he was dangerous. He's got a record. They should always expect something like this to happen, especially when the person is an alcoholic and a drug user. He's been barred from every place in Huddersfield. He was very dangerous.

OP posts:
JoyousPinkPeer · 17/09/2024 21:18

communication1 · 16/09/2024 21:22

Thank you. I've made an application to them as advised by the police. But things can they compensate us on?

Show quote history

Google 'what do criminal injuries compensation board pay for' .. there is a list

ToBeOrNotToBee · 17/09/2024 21:55

If you believe there was a hate crime aspect to it, which I strongly suspect there was, the council are even more at fault.
What an awful thing to happen, I'm just happy that you and your little family are on the mend now.

JenniferBooth · 17/09/2024 22:16

I cant get the link to work

Original poster
communication1 · 18/09/2024 07:07

ToBeOrNotToBee · 17/09/2024 21:55

If you believe there was a hate crime aspect to it, which I strongly suspect there was, the council are even more at fault.
What an awful thing to happen, I'm just happy that you and your little family are on the mend now.

When they were reading out the evidence at trial, he did call my husband a f*king n**er. So very clear there was some sort of hate crime.

OP posts:
FlatWhiteExtraHot · 18/09/2024 07:24

JenniferBooth · 17/09/2024 14:00

Jesus have you even been reading my posts. What i meant and actually fucking said on here about two tier policing was that SH tenants are in some cases not treated with the same respect by the police as people in naicer areas are. Check my posting history as well if you like. Here is something you obviously missed.

THIS is what i meant by two tier policing.

JenniferBooth · Yesterday 21:14

** You say ITV are coming? Might be an oppertunity to bring up the class issues the force has Its not just misogyny that is a problem

And at 20.57 last night i pointed out that SH tenants are hated on here. I said the fucking opposite of what you are trying to say that i did. FFS

Show quote history

There’s no need to swear at me. I was actually agreeing with what you’re saying and pointing out that it’s the same attitude on here. Try reading what I said before going off on one at me!

ToBeOrNotToBee · 18/09/2024 07:47

communication1 · 18/09/2024 07:07

When they were reading out the evidence at trial, he did call my husband a f*king n**er. So very clear there was some sort of hate crime.

Show quote history

If the council were aware that your neighbour was racist, and was being racist towards you before the fire, then you have them enabling your family to become a racially abused and ultimately nearly killed.

Mindymomo · 18/09/2024 07:57

Just watched the clip on ITV news, sounds like you have good grounds for a legal case against the Council, hopefully something positive comes out of this.

AndSoFinally · 18/09/2024 08:12

I've just watched the clip

I can see you're female, a SH tenant, and non- white/Christian

You never stood a chance with the police or the council

I'm so so sorry this happened to you. I really hope you take them to the cleaners

AnotherEmma · 18/09/2024 08:48

communication1 · 18/09/2024 07:07

When they were reading out the evidence at trial, he did call my husband a f*king n**er. So very clear there was some sort of hate crime.

Show quote history

What a nasty piece of work he is.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

lizzyBennet08 · 18/09/2024 08:58

What an awful thing to happen.
So glad he's hopefully going off to jail.

Re legal case against the council. I think that's going to be very difficult. In general landlords can't be held legally responsible for the actions of their tenants even if they 'could have been foreseen' ie if the rent to a known murderer. ( it's still the fault of the Tennant as it probably should be.
The council have a duty to house everyone even diffficult people.

Maybe talk to a no win no fee solicitor and see if there is an angle that you could pursue

ToBeOrNotToBee · 18/09/2024 09:11

Also what I noticed was how the conviction was for the manslaughter of his housemate, and not the arson against you or the harassment. I'd ask the police why those charges were never pursued as you want recognition of the crimes committed against your family.

JenniferBooth · 18/09/2024 12:56

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 18/09/2024 07:24

There’s no need to swear at me. I was actually agreeing with what you’re saying and pointing out that it’s the same attitude on here. Try reading what I said before going off on one at me!

Show quote history

Really sorry that i misunderstood Flowers

JenniferBooth · 18/09/2024 13:37

@communication1 Found the clip of you on the news Did i hear right They escorted YOU off the premises.

DadJoke · 18/09/2024 13:47

I really feel for you, but this is not a simple case, and only a solicitor will give you decent advice.

Original poster
communication1 · 18/09/2024 13:55

JenniferBooth · 18/09/2024 13:37

@communication1 Found the clip of you on the news Did i hear right They escorted YOU off the premises.

Yes, they called the police on us. Today I went and asked for the names of the people I saw that dat. Initially the girl wrote it down for me and then went and spoke to them. They refused to give me the names and the reason as to why they've asked me to leave that day.

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 18/09/2024 13:59

communication1 · 18/09/2024 13:55

Yes, they called the police on us. Today I went and asked for the names of the people I saw that dat. Initially the girl wrote it down for me and then went and spoke to them. They refused to give me the names and the reason as to why they've asked me to leave that day.

Show quote history

They arent behaving that differently to the way RBKC did after Grenfell. Obfuscation and trying to make it the tenants fault

Personal responsibility is only for those of us perceived to be of a lower order.

Original poster
communication1 · 18/09/2024 14:01

JenniferBooth · 18/09/2024 13:59

They arent behaving that differently to the way RBKC did after Grenfell. Obfuscation and trying to make it the tenants fault

Personal responsibility is only for those of us perceived to be of a lower order.

Show quote history

It really really sad to see someone like us "lower working class" people treated that way.

I'm so disappointed in the system.

OP posts:
Original poster
communication1 · 18/09/2024 14:02

DadJoke · 18/09/2024 13:47

I really feel for you, but this is not a simple case, and only a solicitor will give you decent advice.

Yes, I agree. It's not simple but hoping for the best.

OP posts:
Flextime · 19/09/2024 12:44

Hi OP
There is so much that has gone wrong here. I hope you are able to get some compensation .

Original poster
communication1 · 19/09/2024 12:57

Flextime · 19/09/2024 12:44

Hi OP
There is so much that has gone wrong here. I hope you are able to get some compensation .

Thank you.

I have found a solicitor who is taking the case. I asked about my chances and she said "I've got a good shout". I'm hoping we'll get somewhere.

I'm still waiting for their stage 1 complaint response. They've asked for extra time, they most likely wanted to wait for the outcome of the trail. I hope the manslaughter verdict will have a positive impact for us.

OP posts:
GinandGingerBeer · 19/09/2024 17:57

Oh so pleased to hear you now have a solicitor on the case.
Hope you get the compensation you deserve and he never sees the light of day.

Original poster
communication1 · 19/09/2024 21:00

GinandGingerBeer · 19/09/2024 17:57

Oh so pleased to hear you now have a solicitor on the case.
Hope you get the compensation you deserve and he never sees the light of day.

Thank you, means a lot x

OP posts:
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