A Mansfield man has saved a number of tenants from being unlawfully evicted from their homes after he shared Mansfield District Council’s advice with his neighbours.
Colin Clifton, said he “used his voice” to fight back against his former landlord after they sent a text to him and his neighbours asking them to leave their homes with less than a week’s notice.
Having been living in temporary accommodation since 2022, Colin was happy to find something more stable when he was offered his supported living placement. But things soon turned when Colin sought help to rebuild his life.
“All seemed ok at first, but things changed. I didn’t feel like I was getting the support I needed from them. Within two or three months it just went downhill. They would come once a week and we could message them but they would brush it off. There were also repair issues like water leaks that never got sorted.
“I was trying to get support with finding my own place and they said they would help me but they left me high and dry. It was really frustrating because there was no help at all.”
Then, in October 2025, Colin and his housemates were told to leave with just a few days’ notice.
“We got told via text message to say we had less than a week to get out. That’s when I went to the council and got in touch with the homeless team. I knew my rights and it wasn’t just our house that was under threat, it was all the other houses under that landlord.
“The council got in touch and told me (and everyone else) to stay there. They told me they can’t kick me out without a 28-day notice. My landlord argued but I knew my rights and I stayed put.”
Colin shared the advice of Mansfield District Council with everyone he could, telling them all that the provider was not allowed to evict tenants without proper warning.
“The council told me I should be really proud of myself, because I’d saved a lot of people from becoming homeless. Without the council’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to fight against them and I wouldn’t have a roof over my head now. I just used my voice for a reason and it got through to the right people. I’m thankful to the council for speaking to me and giving me advice, letting me know my rights. I just made sure I passed on the same advice and it was kind of nice to know I’d saved a few others. Everyone has a voice, you just need to be heard sometimes.”
Although the supported housing provider was operating independently, there are clear rules on the support they must provide to their tenants in order to operate as a registered provider. Working with people living in supported accommodation, Mansfield District Council’s housing team is able to make sure adequate support is provided, and can take action where necessary.
Cllr Anne Callaghan, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Mansfield District Council, said: “People in supported living are looking for help to live independently, and they need support from responsible providers to do that. When good support is given, it can change lives which can have a positive impact on entire communities. Whether that’s support to find a job, look for a home to raise a family, or just be off the streets and safe, it all helps to improve lives.
“When that support is not given, it can leave people feeling vulnerable, lost and disengaged, which can lead to further issues. When we find evidence of failure to provide adequate support, our first priority is to protect those people from further harm before we take action against the landlord. Well done to Colin for standing up for himself, his housemates and for everyone else affected by this incident, what a great example to set.”
Now with a new landlord, Colin is enjoying a more supportive environment and is looking forward to a new chapter in his life.
“This is a much better house compared to what we had before. Everything gets sorted in good time. I’ve gone through the good, the bad and the ugly but my experience with Brightside Housing has been a hundred times better. We’re getting all the help we can and they’re willing to go above and beyond.
“I get support with my mental health, as well as getting things like doctor and dentist appointments, and also with my job search and things like that. Whenever we need help, we just contact them and they’ll come out and see us. They’re really there for us.”
“As a single dad, I really want to get my own place and move on and Kelly from Brightside is helping me with that too. Long term, having somewhere where my kid can come and relax is all I want.”
Brightside Housing is a Community Interest Company that works with Mansfield District Council to provide supported living to people facing homelessness and other challenges.
Kelly Smith, Service Manager at Brightside Housing where Colin lives, said: “Colin is a very caring person who I’ve worked with for a number of years. It was really upsetting to see how he’d been let down like this.
“We don’t want our residents to feel like they’re just another number, we really care about them as individuals. It’s not just about putting a roof over their head, it’s about giving them the support they need to live independently. We always say our support is a stepping stone to work towards their goals and get to where they want to be in life. It’s brilliant to watch someone regain their confidence and look forward to a brighter future.
“Brightside is still a fairly new, small local organisation, and we’re really proud of what we have built and the support that we provide.”
Colin urges other people out there to reach out for support if they are experiencing tough times. He said:
“What I’d say to someone who is homeless is that it’s much better to have a roof over your head, somewhere warm, safe, with a shower and a cosy bed. If you’re offered the chance, go for it because you might not have another choice.
“People in supported living accommodation want to make a change just as much as anybody else. Everyone is trying to get by and trying to find their own feet, and if that means going into supported housing, then go for it. To me, it’s a foundation stone back to independence.”
For more information on supported living with Mansfield District Council, visit: https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/housing