.svg)
Shahidul Haque, a 59-year-old Bangladeshi national, has officially vacated a one-bedroom retirement property in David Smith Court, Reading, bringing a definitive end to a protracted two-year legal dispute with housing association Southern Housing. Mr Haque originally moved into the accommodation, designated strictly for over-55 residents and single occupancy, in July 2024 before bringing his 28-year-old wife and twin three-year-old daughters to reside with him several months afterward. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that this unauthorized arrangement sparked intense friction among elderly residents within the residential block, who reported continuous disturbances, high noise levels, and anti-social conduct, ultimately concluding with an out-of-court settlement that secured the family's departure.
Southern Housing initiated formal eviction proceedings after determining that the presence of additional family members violated both the age limits and single-occupancy clauses of the tenancy agreement. In response, legal representatives acting for Mr Haque invoked Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, asserting that compelling his dependents to vacate would infringe upon his protected rights to family and private life. Additionally, his defense team maintained that he experienced difficulty understanding the original tenancy agreement due to limited English language proficiency and the absence of a translation in his native Sylheti. Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that throughout his residency in the retirement flat, Mr Haque collected disability benefits for depression and sleep apnea, which facilitated payment of the weekly rent of £110.70.
During subsequent hearings at Reading County Court, legal counsel for Mr Haque petitioned for costs to be awarded in his favor, arguing that public funds should not be wasted on the litigation. Conversely, counsel representing Southern Housing, Mr Ben Leb, characterized the claim as opportunistic, emphasizing to journalists that the charitable housing organization had already granted significant concessions outside of formal court adjudication. Judge Catherine Fisher ultimately ruled that it was inappropriate to award costs to either opposing party. Court documentation previously submitted by the housing provider outlined extensive community complaints, including instances of anti-social behavior and the repeated misuse of emergency alarm infrastructure within the building.
The resolution and subsequent departure have delivered widespread relief to neighbouring residents of David Smith Court, many of whom expressed deep frustration regarding the prolonged ordeal. Leslie Smith, a resident of 12 years, told journalists that housing young children in a sheltered environment tailored for elderly individuals was entirely inappropriate. Another local resident recounted enduring daily noise disturbances persisting late into the evening. Mr Haque, who arrived in the United Kingdom in 1997 and previously worked in London culinary establishments before relocating to Berkshire via social housing in Newham, maintained throughout the conflict that he would refuse to leave unless alternative larger accommodation was secured by local authorities or the housing provider. Southern Housing has been approached by Daily Dazzling Dawn for formal comment regarding the property's future allocation.
