Warning over stairlift saga
Linda Chatwin is locked in a battle with her council over the cost of a stairlift that was installed at her late mother’s home.
Linda’s mum Morag Harraughty, from Blackburn, West Lothian, died in December, aged 87.
Two months before she passed away, Morag, who had the onset of Alzheimer’s and had restricted movement, had a stairlift fitted at her house. But after she died and her family came to sell the property, they discovered that before they could do this, £4,290 had firstly to be paid back to West Lothian Council for the device.
The stairlift had been given to Morag as part of a Scheme of Assistance grant and this was financially linked to the house.
The Scheme of Assistance is aimed at private homeowners including owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants of privately let properties, who are looking for advice and assistance in regard to property repairs and adaptation works.
“I was stunned when told the whole amount had to be paid back to the council to secure discharge of their security on the property,” Linda, 46, from West Calder, said. “The whole family is very upset by this as mum only
had the stairlift for a few weeks before she died and she was only fit enough to use it once. After mum died the stairlift was taken away by the supplier who had installed it.”
Linda said her brother was present when her mother signed up for the stairlift. But she insisted that no one in the family realised the future implications of this agreement and said that last year her mum was too sick to fully understand what she was signing.
However, in April West Lothian Council wrote to Linda advising that the terms and conditions of the grant had been fully explained to her mother and other family the previous June.
“During the period of the grant process it can be confirmed that information related to the title deeds of the property was provided verbally and in writing,” the council wrote.
Linda paid the money to
release the house but has employed a lawyer to look into the issue. She feels she is due a refund, believing her mother was not in any fit state to sign the agreement in the first place.
But despite Linda’s efforts the council is still insisting no refund will be forthcoming.
Two weeks ago she received a letter from the council’s legal representatives which stated that no repayment will be made.
In frustration, Linda contacted Raw Deal and we asked the council for an explanation.
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said it was aware of the claims made by Linda but the matter was now in the hands of its legal team.
“Ms Chatwin, via her solicitors, requested that the security be discharged to allow her to sell the property. The discharge was appropriately provided in exchange for repayment of the grant funding advanced,” the spokesperson said. “The council has ongoing communication with Ms Chatwin’s solicitors. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further.”
Linda said she intends to pursue her case through the courts and has lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman.
“People ought to know that if they do apply for a grant such as this from a council they should be careful what they are signing,” she said. “It could lead to all kinds of stress in the future.”