A long dialogue between her and Alan, her vicar husband, culminates in her announcement that she will give Rob notice to quit. When asked on what grounds, she responds that she doesn’t need grounds, and of course she’s absolutely correct (see insert below) – all she has to do is give him two months’ notice. Alan then reminds her that she might not get another tenant quickly and will miss the rent money, but Usha quite rightly responds that it’s not just about the money. Finally the vicar starts a strange discussion about the meaning of Christian forgiveness, apparently oblivious to the need for the person being forgiven to first admit he’s done anything to be forgiven for. That’s not going to happen with Rob, given that he still appears to be in total denial of any fault on his part.
to regain possession of their property by following the due process of law as set out in a variety
of housing legislation. The notice is referred to as a Section 21 notice, as it’s required by
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
So, what will happen when the notice period runs out on 23 November? Will Rob leave, and if so, where will he go? Such questions provide plenty of opportunities for speculation. Here though, I thought I’d provide a few facts on which to hang that speculation.
FACT 1 When he first read the notice to quit, Rob said that Usha had done him a favour. Blossom Hill Cottage isn’t a suitable home for a man in his position about to start a high-powered, well-paid job in estate management. He will buy a property in Ambridge instead of renting.
FACT 2 He hasn’t made any attempt to house hunt, either to buy or rent, since he said that.
FACT 3 He doesn’t have to leave when the notice period expires. On 23 November, Usha might reasonably expect him to vacate the cottage, but he may choose not to. This happens to a small number of landlords every day.
FACT 4 The upshot of a tenant not leaving on the due date is usually a few months of receiving no rent, until the ex-tenant may be legally removed from the property. The process usually involves at least two court applications, one to apply for a court order instructing the ex-tenant to leave, and the second to apply for a bailiff’s visit if that court order is ignored. Only a licensed bailiff is legally allowed to enforce the eviction, no-one else can do this.
So, back to speculation mode. If Rob doesn’t leave on 23 November, we could see Usha off to court to apply for that court order, which might take 4-5 weeks. The order would be served on Rob just before Christmas, telling him he must leave. Rob might choose to obey the court order, and leave the cottage on, say, Christmas Eve. Now that would leave him in a perfect frame of mind to gate-crash the Christmas celebrations at Bridge Farm the next day.
Will he do this shotgun in hand, repeating the past experiences of Christine (Chris, currently living with Peggy) and George Barford (her gamekeeper husband), when Susan’s brother Clive Horrobin held them hostage before firing their cottage?
Or will most of the family escape Bridge Farm, leaving Rob holding Helen and/or the boys hostage?
Perhaps Alan the vicar will be called in to negotiate with Rob – is this why Alan has recently been heard trying to befriend him?
Or will PC Burns be called, and save the day by shooting him dead? We can but hope.
Well, we only have a few weeks to wait to see what the script has in store for us. It certainly gives us another reason to look forward to Christmas.