A tenant who made her neighbours lives a misery is to lose her home, following a District Court ruling. The Vale Housing Association had applied for a possession order against Ms Diane Goodall of Ely Close in Abingdon following complaints from other tenants that she was causing an unbearable and continuing disturbance.
Complaints were received from neighbours from the day after Ms Goodall moved into the property. They included reports of loud music being played at all hours of the day and night, frequent disturbance by visitors to the property during the night, swearing, arguments and criminal damage to a fence by a visitor. Ms Goodall was given written and verbal warnings by housing association staff that her behaviour was putting her home at risk, and later notice that the association intended to take her to court, but this resulted in no improvement in her behaviour. She also refused the offer of an independent mediation company and support.
The District Judge Campbell commented that the housing association had taken considerable steps to assist Ms Goodall
. David Rundle, Housing Manager at the Vale Housing Association, said With cases like these we have to protect residents who are suffering from unacceptable levels of anti-social behaviour. Our tenancy agreement was clearly breached in a number of ways and we needed to take action. I hope this action will now enable other residents in Ely Close to live in peace.
In making the order the judge thanked the six witnesses and the Housing Association and commented that she knew it was not easy to give evidence for a matter like this, adding, I am very appreciative of all of you coming today and of those preparing this matter
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The possession order gave Ms Goodall fourteen days to seek alternative accommodation, with the deadline being the 3rd October. As Ms Goodall has not yet moved out of the property a date for eviction is currently being sought from the court bailiffs.
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