A Soldier’s Rent Arrears

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 4

A Soldier’s Rent Arrears

Nearly four years ago, in August, 1939 Albert Towler, Coombes Lane, Longbridge. Northfield, Birmingham, was called up as a reservist.

He left a wife and four children under eight. Later another child was born. Army allowances were not then on the present scale and by July, 1941, the Towlers owed £6O for rent. During that time Towler had been to France and come back via Dunkirk. Leave to distrain was then granted to the owners of the house, Belle Vue Investments, Ltd., of Northfield—an order which was suspended conditionally on the Towlers paying their rent plus 1/6 a week off the arrears. On May 19, at Birmingham .'County Court, Bell Vue Investments summoned Towler for possession on the ground of rent arrears. Judge Surprised Judge Dale, in dismissing the action with costs, described the case as "most unreasonable, harsh and unjust.” He said he was surprised that any company should try to obtairr-such an order. While Towler was away defending such people as the agents of the plaintiffs, they were carrying on their business with safety. If Towler had been at home ,the arrears would probably never have accumulated. He was satisfied that the Towlers had complied with the order of 1941, and although there were ample grounds for applying for possession on account of arrears, he thought it was unreasonable to do so.