Who I am

My name is Robert Birchall, I am an ordinary person who got stuck in an unfortunate situation. 

Where I lived 

I lived at a property in London with around 7 other tenants for nearly a year. 

Due to my mental health, I lost my job in April 2014 and was going to make an application for housing benefit to pay my rent. 

I explained to my landlord that the application asked how many other tenants lived at the property and that I should say 7.  I didn't know that having 8 people in a property was illegal – but apparently it is: something classed as a "HMO" (house in multiple occupation). 

My landlord was worried that he would be investigated by the council, so he placed all of my belongings in bin bags and changed the locks to the doors. I don't know what happened to the other tenants. 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Legal advice

At that stage I was homeless – I went straight away to get legal advice. I got my mental health worker to help me find a B&B, since as a single man I wasn't front of the line for a council house. 

My legal case

My lawyer has advised me that the best legal option is take a case against the landlord. By doing this, it will hopefully stop the landlord from unlawfully evicting other tenants too.

The next stage of my case is in May 2016. I am raising just £500 at present so that I can pay for a barrister to help my solicitor in court. I am being represented by Hartley Bain solicitors in Stratford. 

Why you should help

As I am sure you will know, housing in London is increasingly scarce and expensive. Tenant's rights are constantly being reduced. Landlords are increasingly emboldened to disregard the rights of tenants because of the reduction in legal aid and the expense of taking landlords to court. It would be a shame if my landlord was able to get away with unlawful eviction. Landlords should be held accountable for their actions. 

About the claimant

I am an ordinary person who ended up in an unfortunate situation. But it should not have to be this way, landlords should be held accountable for there actions. People should have safety and security knowing their homes will be there for them when they return.

Fast facts

**What's at stake:** I am claiming unlawful eviction and harassment. If I lose my case because I don't have funds like my landlord has then he will continue doing this to other people. **Next step in proceedings:** We have a case management conference in May 2016. **Solicitor**: Hartley Bain solicitors in Stratford