A North London pensioner who has spent a year pumping raw sewage from his rented flat is now fighting to avoid being made homeless after his landlord served him with a 'no-fault' eviction notice.
A Year of Overflowing Filth and Health Fears
William 'Bill' Mitton, 66, says he has been living with leaking drain pipes behind the panels of his Islington flat for approximately twelve months. The retired builder claims he is forced to deal with "overflowing" soiled water on a daily basis, a situation he says has left him frequently unwell and deeply concerned for his long-term health.
Bill told reporters the persistent leak has also caused significant damp and electrical faults within the property. He asserts that the building's freeholder, Mr Juzar Jeevanjee, was informed of the need for repairs "long ago" by previous leaseholders.
Eviction Notice Served Amid Council Enforcement
The dispute escalated in October 2025 when Mr Jeevanjee, who became Bill's direct landlord in September 2025, served a Section 21 notice. This type of eviction, often called a 'no-fault' eviction, is set to become illegal from May 2026.
Bill believes the notice is retaliatory, coming as he pushed for repairs and involved Islington Council's Environmental Health team. The council agreed the issue was serious, serving the landlord with a formal notice on October 8, 2025, stating the pipe was "prejudicial to health or a nuisance". Failure to act could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
In response, Bill has been withholding part of his rent, arguing the conditions are uninhabitable.
Landlord's Counter-Claims and Legal Action
Mr Jeevanjee presents a starkly different account. He claims to have worked "continuously" to resolve the complex drainage issue, which he attributes to historic unauthorised works. He accuses Bill of obstructing contractors and using "abusive and aggressive" language—allegations Bill "categorically" denies.
The landlord states the eviction is necessary to allow for "extensive" structural refurbishment that cannot be done with a tenant in situ. He confirmed that specialist contractors surveyed the drains in February 2025 and that pipework was finally carried out in January 2026.
Despite the recent repair, court proceedings to gain possession of the flat are underway. Bill has vowed to resist, stating: "Even if he wins in court, he'll have to send the bailiffs to get me out."
The case highlights the acute pressures of the private rental market and the human cost of prolonged housing disrepair, set against the looming ban on no-fault evictions.
