A migrant living in a retirement housing unit in England has been allowed to remain in the property after arguing that eviction would violate his human rights.
Shahidul Haque, 59, has spent more than a year fighting efforts by Southern Housing to remove him from a one-bedroom unit at David Smith Court in Reading. Haque currently lives there with his wife and twin daughters, despite the accommodation being designated for older residents, reports GB News.
The dispute began after Haque moved into the property in July 2024, paying £110.70 per week. Months later, his wife, Jakia Sultana Monni, 28, and their two daughters joined him from Bangladesh. Southern Housing sought possession of the property, arguing Haque breached tenancy rules by bringing additional occupants into housing intended for retirees.
In response, Haque argued he did not understand the housing restrictions because of his limited English and said the tenancy terms were not properly explained. “What we really need is a bigger home. This property isn't suitable for a family. It's too small, it's only for a single person,” Haque told the Daily Mail.
“We have only one bedroom and so have to push two beds together. One for me and my wife and one for my daughters. It's too crowded.”
He added: “If Southern Housing or West Berkshire Council can find us somewhere more suitable then we'll go. But at the moment we have no other place - this is it.”
Haque, a Bangladeshi national who has lived in the UK since 1997 and now holds British citizenship, is registered disabled and receives benefits. Court filings state he suffers from conditions including diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and depression.
In his legal defense, barrister Isabel Bertschinger argued eviction would violate Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life: “The Claimant's decisions to institute, pursue and continue to seek possession of the property are incompatible with the Defendant's rights under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights and possession would constitute a disproportionate interference therewith,” Bertschinger wrote.
Southern Housing said the family’s presence has caused issues for other residents. Its solicitor, Taiwo Temilade, said: “The Defendant's two young children have become a source of excess noise levels and anti-social behaviour, negatively affecting other residents within the estate through misuse of safety features and generally rambunctious behaviour.”
At an August 4 hearing, Deputy District Judge Simon Lindsey declined to order immediate eviction: “I think the defendant probably should not be in this property with his wife and two children, but the question of how he came to be in this place appears to be unresolved and we have to get to that another time,” he said.
Shahidul Haque, 59, has spent more than a year fighting efforts by Southern Housing to remove him from a one-bedroom unit at David Smith Court in Reading. Haque currently lives there with his wife and twin daughters, despite the accommodation being designated for older residents, reports GB News.
The dispute began after Haque moved into the property in July 2024, paying £110.70 per week. Months later, his wife, Jakia Sultana Monni, 28, and their two daughters joined him from Bangladesh. Southern Housing sought possession of the property, arguing Haque breached tenancy rules by bringing additional occupants into housing intended for retirees.
In response, Haque argued he did not understand the housing restrictions because of his limited English and said the tenancy terms were not properly explained. “What we really need is a bigger home. This property isn't suitable for a family. It's too small, it's only for a single person,” Haque told the Daily Mail.
“We have only one bedroom and so have to push two beds together. One for me and my wife and one for my daughters. It's too crowded.”
He added: “If Southern Housing or West Berkshire Council can find us somewhere more suitable then we'll go. But at the moment we have no other place - this is it.”
Haque, a Bangladeshi national who has lived in the UK since 1997 and now holds British citizenship, is registered disabled and receives benefits. Court filings state he suffers from conditions including diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and depression.
In his legal defense, barrister Isabel Bertschinger argued eviction would violate Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life: “The Claimant's decisions to institute, pursue and continue to seek possession of the property are incompatible with the Defendant's rights under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights and possession would constitute a disproportionate interference therewith,” Bertschinger wrote.
Southern Housing said the family’s presence has caused issues for other residents. Its solicitor, Taiwo Temilade, said: “The Defendant's two young children have become a source of excess noise levels and anti-social behaviour, negatively affecting other residents within the estate through misuse of safety features and generally rambunctious behaviour.”
At an August 4 hearing, Deputy District Judge Simon Lindsey declined to order immediate eviction: “I think the defendant probably should not be in this property with his wife and two children, but the question of how he came to be in this place appears to be unresolved and we have to get to that another time,” he said.
