Nassau-A magistrate on Wednesday granted an emergency eviction in the interest of public health.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes gave Edith Peet until 6pm today to vacate a one-bedroom that she and four others have illegally occupied since February.
The Chief Justice ordered the suspension of new trials during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, attorney Ian Cargill obtained an emergency hearing because sewer problems at the unit on Carmichael Road pose a danger to public health.
The eviction will allow property manager Denise Bethel to carry out needed repairs to the plumbing system.
Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Health certified the problem had to be corrected immediately, the court heard.
In her evidence, Bethel said numerous plumbers said the sewer problems originated in Peet’s unit.
She said plumbers needed to jackhammer the floor.
Bethel gave Peet an eviction letter in January, a month before her rental contract expired.
Additionally, Bethel said that Peet was $2,800 in arrears.
Bethel said she allowed Peet and her disabled son to live in the small space.
However, Bethel said Peet later moved in another son and two grandchildren without her permission.
What’s more, Peet’s second son has allegedly terrorised and threatened other tenants.
In addition to approving the eviction, Forbes ordered Peet to pay the $2,800 overdue rent plus $500 in legal costs.
Peet received notice of the eviction hearing but didn’t appear.
