Hellish neighbours kicked out of home (From Croydon Guardian)

Hellish neighbours kicked out of home

7:38am Wednesday 19th September 2007

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A family who featured on a prime time television programme about neighbours from hell have been evicted from their home in New Addington.

Council tenant Lynn Sealy, 48, and her family were thrown out following complaints from neighbours about cars in their garden.

“If you neglect your council home or cause intolerable nuisance to your neighbours we will catch up with you and, if you continue to behave in an antisocial manner without any regard for other people, you will lose your home.”

Councillor Dudley Mead

The family appeared on an ITV programme in the 1990s. At the time they were warned with eviction if they did not clear their garden of rubbish and cars.

Although they initially removed the vehicles they returned to their antisocial ways and the council was not prepared to give them a second chance.

Using an earlier ruling against Mrs Sealy in 2003, when she was given a possession order by a judge for not paying her rent, housing officers were able to evict the family from the three-bedroom property in Corbett Close without fresh court proceedings.

Councillor Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said: "Our message to anyone who thinks that they are above the law is that you can run but you can't hide.

"If you neglect your council home or cause intolerable nuisance to your neighbours we will catch up with you and, if you continue to behave in an antisocial manner without any regard for other people, you will lose your home."

Mrs Sealy did not oppose the eviction, according to the council, but left before the bailffs arrived.

Housing officers found the house wrecked with broken windows and the family has since been billed for the damage and cleaning costs.

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