Family of six refusing to live in two-bedroom flat
A family of six facing eviction is refusing to move into a two-bedroom flat should suitable accommodation not be found in time. Their landlord told them last month he was putting the house up for sale and the family was served notice and will have to move out of the property, which is owned by a private landlord and managed by Home Turf Lettings. Laura Prior, 32, who lives in the three-bedroom house in Peasedown St John with her five children, described the moment she heard the news. She said: “People are viewing the house at the moment so we could be out at any moment. We’re effectively going to be left homeless. “The council wants to put us in a two-bedroom flat. It’s a struggle as it is in a three-bedroom flat so I don’t know how we’re going to cope.” Just nine weeks ago Laura was welcoming another child into the world, but is now having to uproot her new daughter Roxy-rose Martin and Kyle Martin, 7, Layla Martin, 5, Chloe Martin, 3, and Harley Martin, 2, to move into temporary accommodation. Laura said: “I know the landlord has to do what he has to do but the children really won’t want to move from Peasedown. “Moving to a two-bedroom flat is just not going to work. It’s already difficult enough as it is.” Laura sought help from Reach, a free housing support service run by Developing Health and Independence (DHI) which operates Home Turf Lettings, and was offered temporary accommodation in a twobedroom property in Twerton, by Bath and North East Somerset Council. But she has refused to accept it and contacted the council to explain that a two-bedroom flat is not suitable. The council has said it is working hard to ensure the family is in suitable accommodation as soon as possible but there is considerable demand for social housing. A spokesman said; “We are making every effort to directly match the family with a new home in social housing, before they have to move out of their current accommodation. They added: “If we cannot rehouse them before they have to leave their current accommodation, then we will provide temporary accommodation until we can offer them a new home.” David Walton, housing director for DHI, said: “Because we do not own all of our properties, and are just managing privately owned houses, the same risks exist as in the private rented sector. “Unfortunately, we can only help as many people as we have properties available to let.”