Neighbours form human chain to block bailiffs from evicting mum-of-five after 12 YEARS
When bailiffs threatened to evict a mum-of-five from her rented house, neighbours pulled out all the stops to help her stay put.
Around 30 people linked arms on the street around Nimo Abdullahi’s house in Eaton, Bristol, to stop her from being kicked out.
The 39-year-old was told she and her family would be evicted from their privately rented home of 12 years after she complained to her landlord about damp.
Her neighbours were so outraged by what they saw as a ‘revenge eviction’ that they formed a human chain around her home.
All morning, more neighbours joined the blockade - with a newlywed couple living opposite the family cutting up their wedding cake to keep the protesters sustained.
When bailiffs turned up at 11am on Tuesday, they weren’t able to get inside.
Long-standing resident: Nimo has lived in the house for 12 years (SWNS)
Nimo said she was threatened with eviction numerous times - whenever she complained - but this time, the landlord actually went through with it.
She said: “It has a big problem with damp. This is bad for us, because my children have asthma and it is not a good place.
"Until recently, the carpets everywhere were very old and dirty and we would ask the landlord to improve things, but he was difficult. Many times I asked him, and a lot of times he would threaten us.
"He would say that we were going to be evicted, and once he came round with his wife and she said that if we didn’t move out they would call the police to get us out. But this is our home.”
Grass roots: Renters’ rights organisation, Acorn, has helped Nimo (SWNS)
Nimo, who is being helped by Acorn, a local grass roots movement which fights for renters’ rights, said she was stunned by the support she received from her neighbours.
The mum, whose three sons and two daughters go to the local school, said: “I was shocked. I went out and came running back in because I was so stunned.
"I’ve had great support from Acorn and now to see my neighbours outside supporting me is amazing.”
Community spirit: Around 30 locals supported Nimo (SWNS)
Jenny Ross came out to protest the treatment of the Abdullahi family, who have lived in the property since they moved to England from Holland.
She said: “We don’t want people in our community treated like this. It’s a revenge eviction and people deserve decent rented accommodation.
"This landlord, and all landlords, need to know there are people in this community who won’t ignore it.
"We live in this street and it’s a close community. It’s amazing how many people have turned out.”
United we stand: The protesters linked arms in unity (SWNS)
Campaign organiser Nick Ballard, from Acorn Bristol, said he wants to send a “strong message” to the community that such evictions will not be tolerated.
He said: “This is people’s lives at stake here - people are being made homeless - Nimo and her family are being made homeless by this.”
