Donations pour in for man facing eviction for arrears
He has offered to pay £ 2.5k of the £ 3.7k upfront
PEOPLE have donated cash to a tenant threatened with eviction to help him stay in his home. Last week, the Glasgow Times revealed Paul Dodwell was facing eviction from his flat by Queen’s Cross Housing Association unless he paid arrears in full this week.
Mr Dodwell had offered to pay £ 2500, with the help of a friend, who is willing to pay £ 1500 direct to the landlord, and cash he had been able to save since the association stopped accepting payments from him last year.
Following our story, more people have come forward to contribute money to help him out.
A local businessman has offered £ 500, while two individuals have offered £ 100 and £ 80 each and another five people have collectively donated £ 80.
It leaves the tenant with £ 520 which he says he can clear in five monthly instalments on top of his rent, now he is in full- time work.
Mr Dodwell, who has been a Queen’s Cross tenant for more than 10 years, has a meeting tomorrow with the landlord at which he has a deadline to pay the £ 3700 that he owes.
He said the arrears built up after experiencing financial difficulties and trying to juggle a number of debts acquired after a period of unemployment.
He said he has been in arrears before, as a result of being in and out of work, but had managed to pay them off to allow him to continue the tenancy.
Queen’s Cross Housing Association said eviction is the last resort after offering support.
It told the Glasgow Times: “This is our first arrears eviction decree in five years.
“Eviction cases only come about after a long process of lengthy communication with the tenant that includes the offer of every type of support, including reasonable payment options.”
There is a temporary ban on evictions in Scotland until March 31, but there are a number of exceptions, including if social rented tenants owe more than £ 2250.
The tenant is being represented by housing campaigner Sean Clerkin. Mr Clerkin said: “I want to thank all the generous Glasgow Times readers who have donated a total of £ 2180 towards paying off Paul Dodwell’s rent arrears of £ 3700 following the recent article in the Glasgow Times.
“This shows the kindness and generosity of Glasgow folk during this hard cost- of- living crisis.
“I want to thank all of them on behalf of Paul Dodwell as I know all of you want this hard- working man to keep a roof over his head and not be made homeless.”