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.

Colin said: “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.

Colin said: “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.

Colin said: 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.”

Now with a new landlord, Colin is enjoying a more supportive environment and is looking forward to a new chapter in his life.

Kelly Smith, service manager at Brightside Housing where Colin now 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.”

For more information on supported living with Mansfield District Council, visit: https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/housing