Bear with me on this - not strictly residential or commercial. I own a garage/store - used to be a small stable back in the day.Its at the back end of the garden of a house in two flats with access to it along the driveway to the side of the house. I own the garage, a bit of land in front of it,and the driveway.The 2 flats of the house are owner occupied.For some years I was renting the garage to the chap in the top flat until cos of rent arrears, I gave him notice - he didn,t go and I got a possession order in April - didn,t go - The Bailiff came next but he couldn,t exercise the warrant. Why?- this is where it gets a bit complicated. Some years ago this chap,then my tenant,built this very large gate across the driveway to which he never gave me a key, although requested. The Bailiff said it was up to me to give him access to the garage through this gate, which I couldn,t do- the advise was that since the gate was the tenants,I couldn,t have a locksmith break the lock because I would be liable for criminal damage, and because the tenant lived in the upstairs flat,the entrance to which was behind the gate, I could then by changing the lock on the gate, be locking him out of his home.Also, he allows his large german shepherd dog to run free behind the gate and on my property - Slightly intimidating ! So you guys out there - I,m stuck ! Can,t afford a solicitor on this,and not at all sure how to proceed.Done the legal stuff myself this far, but now don,t have a clue what sort of court action I should take, on what form ect ect. Strictly speaking he,s now a trespasser but not a sqatter,and in contempt of a possession order,but I think I,m right in saying he,s not done anything criminal, and it is still a civil matter. Any help from anyone most gratefully received !!! - Mackers
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