Migrant Family Leaves Retirement Home After Two Years Amid Resident Complaints

A Bangladeshi national, Shahidul Haque, 59, and his family have finally moved out of a retirement home in Reading after residing there for two years, following an out-of-court agreement. The family, including his 28-year-old wife and twin three-year-old daughters, had moved into the one-bedroom flat in David Smith Court in July 2024. The accommodation is designated for residents over 55 and intended for single occupancy.

Southern Housing had sought to evict Mr. Haque, who had argued that his family's removal would violate Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. He also claimed he did not fully understand the initial agreement due to it not being written in his native Sylheti dialect. Mr. Haque had been living in the UK since 1997.

The departure has been met with relief by some residents who described the family's presence as making their lives a "living hell." One resident, a 63-year-old man, reported constant noise from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, with children running and shouting. He stated that attempts to address the issue with management were not handled quickly.

Court documents submitted by Southern Housing described the family as a "source of excess noise levels and anti-social behaviour." These included instances of the emergency assistance cord being pulled nine times in a single day in December 2024, and general "rambunctious behaviour."

Mr. Haque, who previously worked in Bangladeshi restaurants in London, had been claiming disability benefits for depression and sleep apnea, which covered the weekly rent of £110.70. He had previously demanded larger accommodation for his family, stating they were all sharing a single bedroom.

During a court hearing, Mr. Haque's legal representative argued that taxpayers should not bear the costs associated with the case. Conversely, Southern Housing's representative characterized the claim as "opportunistic." The judge ultimately deemed it inappropriate to award costs to either party.

Residents expressed their relief, with one, Leslie Smith, noting that the children's activities were not suitable for a retirement block and that they should not have to witness sensitive events like the carrying out of deceased neighbors. Mr. Haque had arrived in the UK in 1997 and became homeless after a divorce. His wife is in the UK on a spousal visa, and their children hold British citizenship.