A disabled tenant renting a flat in Hillfields has avoided a second attempt by bailiffs to evict him. This was after he frantically called community union, ACORN to come and help when he saw bailiffs in his garden.
Ben Watson, 58 previously faced eviction on 21 June, 2023, but was saved when ACORN members blockaded the entrance to his flat with a human wall of support. His landlady said she had been left with no choice but to sell the home after her husband committed suicide and left his estate to his sister.
The landlady, Margaret Slater, had previously told Bristol Live that she had rented the property to Ben Watson for the last 11 years, but that she now has to sell the property.
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Mr Watson, who takes medication for various long-term health conditions, said he saw the bailiffs standing in his garden on Wednesday morning (5 July, 2023) when he peeped out of the window. He said: “the landlady’s son-in-law was trying to get in. It was a very frightening experience, it was scary and I was freaked out.”
He added that he immediately called ACORN with members arriving shortly after. Mr Watson said: “I was like what the hell do I do ? ACORN members came out of nowhere to support me.”
He confirmed that the bailiffs left when they could not gain access and that the stand-off situation was resolved later in the day. He said the landlady had agreed to allow him to have six weeks to vacate the property.
“This is what I’ve been asking for. I want to do a joint place with my daughter who is a single parent and works full-time. I have to pack but I am disabled and am not allowed to lift or carry anything, we’ve got enough time to do it now,” he said.
ACORN organiser, Sam Kidel said their members had assembled on Tuesday which was the date of the second eviction. Mr Kidel said: “We saw a transit van go past slowly three times.
“We stayed until 9pm on Tuesday (4 July, 2023) and so were successful at stopping the second eviction. “ He said when Mr Watson contacted him around midday on Wednesday, members mobilised within ten minutes.
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He said they had discussed a six week notice to allow the tenant to leave with the landlady’s son-in-law. Mr Kidel also confirmed that the landlady’s solicitor had confirmed acceptance of the six weeks notice to the tenant to vacate the flat.
The landlady previously said she had no choice.
“I hated to have to do it (give notice), but it’s only because my husband committed suicide last year," she said. "We were separated and the estate goes to his sister, so they had to be sold, there is no other way around it.”
