Should I evict a tenant with mental health issues refusing an electrical inspection?

Should I evict a tenant with mental health issues refusing an electrical inspection?

0:02 AM, 17th July 2024, About 37 minutes ago

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Hi, my elderly mother has had a tenant for the last 18 years and receives payment from the council through housing benefits. The tenant was great and was pretty much the perfect tenant. Unfortunately, over the years, her mental health has declined significantly.

She has become extremely paranoid and refuses to let anyone into the flat. My mother has an outstanding electrical inspection and previously, the electrician who did manage to gain entry, was suddenly spat at and verbally abused along with threats of violence.

My mother has tried everything to gain entry but is at her wits end; she is worried about being prosecuted in the event of an incident. She has approached the council, police etc.

The council have told my mother to start eviction proceedings but we know that this will potentially be lengthy and expensive and there are no guarantees. Additionally, we feel a social and moral responsibility for someone who is clearly unwell; making her homeless is not something we wish to do.

I would be grateful for opinions as to what to do under the circumstances. I have been relaxed about it saying there is a clear audit trail of numerous attempts to gain access but emails and letters go ignored and threats of violence are made if the door is knocked on.

My mother has been advised by the council that this is not good enough and that my mother potentially risks prosecution over this. They have told my mother to follow the process and begin eviction proceedings.

My mother is beside herself as she doesn’t know what to do under the circumstances.

Grateful for opinions please,

Ash


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