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Post-natal depression stopped Hazel opening her post, so when a rent arrears notice arrived, she didn’t realise. A subsequent possession order meant she risked losing her home.
Hazel suffered from post-natal depression and, as a consequence, stopped opening her post. She hadn’t completed housing benefit arrangements, and rent arrears gradually accrued. When a preliminary notice for rent arrears arrived, she didn’t even realise. When the arrears became more serious, the local authority served court papers, but again they remained unopened. By the time a warrant for possession arrived, Hazel had started to open letters again, and contacted us just two days before the eviction was due.
We applied to the court for a hearing and represented her. We also advised her to claim for backdated housing benefit. The Judge agreed to set aside the possession order because Hazel’s mental health had clearly led to her arrears, and she agreed to an affordable repayment plan.
As a result, Hazel was not forced to leave her home and, with a manageable payment schedule in place, she could focus on getting better and enjoying her family.
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