Home nightmare after mum passes
A Newmains woman is in a desperate battle to keep her family home of more than 70 years.
Allison Shaw, 55, has been told that she will have to leave her council house after the passing of her mother and move into a smaller home.
This would mean leaving a property that has been in her family for seven decades as well as having to relocate to an area she may be unfamiliar with.
The house is also equipped with equipment to suit Allison’s needs, such as a stairlift and a wet room.
After receiving letters from the council asking her to move, she contacted her tenants union Living Rent for help.
Anna Knox is a representative for the group, which aims to fight for the rights of tenants.
She said: “Allison has stayed in the home for four years, since she moved in to help care for her elderly mother.
“After the passing of her mother, the council began threatening her with eviction, due to the tenancy agreement being only in her mother’s name.
“Allison has recently undergone life-changing cancer treatment and now suffers from mobility issues herself and requires the modifications which her home is equipped with, such as a wet room, chairlift, and a spare room for caregivers.
“While we understand that given a shortage of council housing, No r t h L a na rk s h i re C o u n c i l’s interest is to free-up properties with spare bedrooms; it is clear that our member’s circumstances should not be seen as such an opportunity.
“It is unacceptable for a social landlord to evict their tenant during a pandemic; especially on such a minor technicality.”
North Lanarkshire Council representatives have responded and said they have been working with Allison to reach a suitable solution.
A NLC spokesperson said: “We have been in discussions with Ms Shaw for a considerable period of time to try and resolve this situation amicably.
“The request for succession of tenancy did not meet the necessary requirements under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and was therefore turned down.
“The property at Woodside Crescent is a three-bedroom house, and Ms Shaw is a single person.
“We are sympathetic to Ms Shaw’s circumstances following the sad passing of her mother and we are offering the option of a twobedroom property in a suitable area.
“We will also assess any adaptations which may be required by Mrs Shaw to the property. We will continue to try and resolve this situation and find suitable alternative accommodation.”