More than 20 people have stood in solidarity outside a house in the Broadgate area to halt an eviction.
Miguel, 39, said he had received letters telling him he was going to be removed from his property during Friday (16 May).
He said: “I’m very thankfully for all of these people turning out. I’m lost for words.
“I didn’t know it was illegal what my landlord is doing until the letter came through.
“I am so thankful for Acorn and everyone who has come to help me.”
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Miguel said he was facing eviction because he was unable to work due to anxiety and depression – and he had difficulty obtaining a copy of his rental agreement from the landlord.
This has led Miguel to be trapped in a circle where he cannot claim Universal Credit – and therefore not pay his rent.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Miguel has lived in the property since October last year – when he got divorced.
Preston’s Acorn Union claim an illegal eviction by a private landlord is due to take place.
Secretary of the Preston branch of Acorn union, Gina Upwood, said: “This is about community resistance and supporting our members.
“We believe the landlord has not followed the correct legal process for an eviction – by going through the courts.
“So we have taken this peaceful direct action. We’re not here to cause trouble or anything like that.
“The mood is really positive and Miguel’s not going anywhere today.”
The landlord Mr Mitha turned up with cake and biscuits for the protestors.
He spoke with the group and said he had been working with the tenant on vacating the property – claiming it was not an eviction but that the tenant had fallen behind in the rent.
Mr Mitha was challenged by the Acorn group to provide a tenancy agreement for Miguel but he said he had already provided one. He refused to sign paperwork the Acorn group brought with them.
Mr Mitha said: “There has been a misunderstanding. I have sent a standard letter saying your six-month tenancy is about to end.
“And basically what you’re doing about it. I’ve been talking to Miguel and we’re trying to sort out this benefit part.
“But if you live here, you’ve got to pay rent. I’ve been in this business 20 years – people don’t always play straight with things.
“All I want to do is Miguel to carry on living here and just pay his arrears and his rent, and sort his problems out and get a job. And keep talking and that needs to be direct communication, between me and the tenant, not through someone else.”
Miguel remains in the property as of Friday afternoon.
The action by Acorn is the latest by the group which has been working to highlight issues with both social housing and private rented properties in the city in recent months.
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