Fury as mum’s home put online days after her death
GRIEVING SON SLAMS HOUSING ASSOCIATION AS ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ OVER WEBSITE LISTING
A SON has called a housing association ‘disrespectful’ for listing his late mum’s home online days after she died.
Vivien Brereton, 71, passed away in hospital on December 16 following a short illness.
The former retail worker moved into a housing association-owned property on Saltergate Mews in Salford 25 years ago with husband John, who died three years ago.
A couple of days after Vivien’s passing, her loved ones say they were outraged to find people visiting her home asking for a viewing.
Son Jason Brereton, 51, said he informed Pendleton Together, which owns the home, of her passing and provided a copy of her death certificate.
“My brother Andrew lives round the corner from her house and he goes and checks on it every day to make sure everything is alright,” Jason, who lives in Warrington, told the M.E.N.
“He was told numerous people have been seen inside the garden looking through the windows.
“When he was inside one day, there was a knock on the door from a young family wanting to come inside and view the property. We were really confused by it all.”
Jason says he then found the home listed for rent on Salford Home Search, which is run in partnership with Pendleton Together.
The ‘fully refurbished, threebed end terraced house’ was listed on the property database on Friday afternoon (January 7), but has since been removed.
“It was there for all to see,” Jason added. “It’s disgusting.”
Pendleton Together said that while the home was listed on Salford Home Search, there was never any intention of allowing people to formally view the house. Bosses said people will often take it upon themselves to do their own research.
“I know there weren’t any official viewings, but the full address was there on the website,” Jason said.
“People have taken it upon themselves to go and view the house to see if it’s something of interest to them.
“It’s a sensitive situation. My mum’s death is still raw, it’s only been a few weeks.”
In a statement, Pendleton Together offered its sympathies to the family and said they discourage people to view a home listed online without a formal appointment.
Julie Blagden, senior manager for operations at Pendleton Together, said: “There are many people in severe housing need in Salford and a high number of housing applications. Therefore, as soon as we receive notice on a property we will advertise it via Salford City Council’s Home Search.
“However, while the property may be advertised, we would never show anyone around without the permission of the outgoing tenant or until the keys had been handed to us.”