Woman evicted from her home for not clearing up her eyesore garden
A TENANT has been evicted from her home after repeatedly refused to clear up her eyesore garden.
Anita Rhule had left tyres and other rubbish dumped in the plot outside her Derby Homes house, in Browning Street, on the Austin estate.
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Anita Rhule left tyres and other rubbish dumped in the plot outside her Derby Homes house, in Browning Street, on the Austin estate.
The housing group, which manages and maintains homes on behalf of Derby City Council, said Ms Rhule had left her garden to get overgrown and untidy.
Last year, she was warned that if she did not clear up the mess she would be evicted.
But despite repeated attempts by Derby Homes staff between November last year and July to encourage Ms Rhule to clear her garden, she did not do any of the work.
Councillor Phillip Ingall, cabinet member for housing, said: "Derby Homes staff are working with many tenants on the Austin estate to ensure that gardens are maintained to acceptable standards.
"Most tenants look after their gardens well and it is distressing to them when there is a neighbouring garden that is overgrown and full of rubbish. We hope that this eviction will send a clear message to other tenants who think that it is acceptable not to maintain their gardens."
Derby Homes tried several ways to get Ms Rhule to carry out the work.
Officials completed an acceptable behaviour contract setting out what she needed to do to her garden.
Staff also went out on numerous visits and sent warning letters telling Ms Rhule that she would be evicted if she did not comply with the court order.
But during the past seven months, staff at Derby Homes said the state of the garden had got steadily worse, with more rubbish being dumped and hedges and grass left overgrown.
In July, senior housing officer Jackie Siddons requested an eviction warrant because Ms Rhule had made no improvements.
The eviction was due to take place on August 9 but Ms Rhule asked the court for the action to be suspended.
However, this was dismissed and Ms Rhule has now been evicted.
While some of those working and living nearby welcomed the eviction, others thought it was a step too far.
One man said: "It's good they're doing something about it but they need to evict half the people round here on that basis because a lot of the gardens are overgrown."
Another resident living nearby said: "I think it's a bit much.
"There was a mess but it usually was cleared.
"I've had letters about my hedge needing cutting and all sorts in the past but I have young kids and other things that are a priority but I do it when I get round to it.
"They should have helped her rather than just evict her.
"She's just going to be without a home now and the mess will still have to be cleared up, won't it?"
18 Comments
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by JonBoyWalton
Wednesday, August 24 2011, 3:28PM
“@graceyb213 "The council pick on the easier ones to deal with instead of doing something about the situation as a whole. "
It's not the council, it's Derby Homes - The landlord of this property. Just because there are irresponsible landlords out there does that mean Derby Homes should be irresponsible and not expect their tennants to keep their properties tidy?”
by BocBoc
Wednesday, August 24 2011, 12:32PM
“Well said graceyb213
" I don't think it matters whether you are on benefits or not, there are good and bad in all classes, cultures and races. Its about having respect for yourself and others as well as the community you live in.""”
by Pinkyomg
Wednesday, August 24 2011, 11:31AM
“you dont have to look at it”
by davsl
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 10:07PM
“sorry no excuse clean up your mess, why should i look at it?”
by Pinkyomg
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 7:46PM
“I live around this area and do not no the woman in question.
My opinion, I think derby homes have been a bit unreasonable.
All I ever saw in that ladys garden was rubbish.And that is the rubbish in the picture.And oh a fridge I think it was.
But as for the rest of the garden being a mess.I cant ever remember it being!
The grass never looked too overgrown or the hedges and she didn't even have much of a hedge.
I'll tell you why they picked on her because there is a housing office just basically opposite her house.”
by Pinkyomg
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 7:44PM
“I live around this area and do not no the woman in question.
My opinion, I think derby homes have been a bit unreasonable.
All I ever saw in that ladys garden was rubbish.And that is the rubbish in the picture.And oh a fridge I think it was.
But as for the rest of the garden being a mess.I cant ever remember it being!
The grass never looked too overgrown or the hedges and she didn't even have much of a hedge.
I'll tell you why they picked on her because there is a housing office just basically opposite her house.”
by graceyb213
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 4:20PM
“The houses that run along the side of me look 1000 times worse than that but because they are private landlords we are expected to live with it. At one point a garden approx 16ft x 16ft was fillled 8ft high with bags of household rubbish. The council pick on the easier ones to deal with instead of doing something about the situation as a whole. I dont think it matters whether you are on benefits or not, there are good and bad in all classes, cultures and races. Its about having respect for yourself and others as well as the community you live in.”
by comms_man
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 3:40PM
“If your landlord tells you to do something, as long as it is your responsibility, you should do it. I am sure this person was warned countless times and did nothing about it. I work full time, have two kids, own my home and still have time to keep it looking nice. I cannot comment on whether this lady worked or claimed benefits as other people have, but if she did not work she certainly had time to do something about it.”
by misterviv
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 2:55PM
“My garden backs onto Council Maisonettes. The 'communal garden', which we believe may contain a Bengal Tiger and a troupe of Chimpanzees, is so overgrown that the Blackberry brambles have destroyed my fencing, overrun a shed and choked most of the planting at the end of the garden.
I have been onto Derby homes several times, but to no avail.
Does anyone know if B&Q or Homebase stock Napalm or agent orange?
I assume that the Council do not recognize 'antisocial planting' as disorderly behaviour.
Oh,well. Where's that Blackberry pie recipe?”
by DavidGaleUKIP
Tuesday, August 23 2011, 2:52PM
“...and yet just down the road, in Leicestershire, a council has used this type of issue as an early warning sign for possible intervention before someone needs expensive, acute services to deal with their situation. Does this action things better or worse / less expensive or more expensive for the tax payer?”