Foreign News: After Elsy

Five years ago Elsy Florence Eva Borders, London housewife, was enraged when her new house, like many another product of Britain's depression building boom, began to leak, creak and crumble. Last year she stopped making mortgage payments to the building society, and when the society sued, personally fought Britain's legal heavyweights to a standstill. "Portia" Borders became the heroine of thousands of Britons who pay high rents for grimy kennels or find their shiny new houses falling apart. Many of them have been making it tough for landlords as increasing numbers of "Tenants' Defence Leagues" have demanded lower rents, better plumbing,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!