New Year's eviction threat reprieve for 11 families
Tenants of 11 properties in Convent Close, Stoke Golding, now have until July to find alternative housing and individual deals may be struck
Karen HambridgeReporter
Stoke Golding
Families fighting to stay in their dream homes have been spared New Year eviction notices.
Tenants of 11 properties in Convent Close, Stoke Golding, now have until July to find alternative housing and individual deals may be struck.
Residents had been given just eight weeks to find somewhere else to live after only six months in what they believed were long-term properties.
They were not told owners Raglan Housing Association wanted the properties let only as short-term open market lets - so they weren't left empty - while waiting for Government cash to operate them as social housing.
Angry tenants who had spent hundreds of pounds fitting out the properties argued they believed the homes were offered as long-term tenancies with options to buy for people with village links.
Following meetings with residents and councillors Raglan's executive committee discussed the matter and have extended the get-out period to July to give tenants more time and allow further discussion on alternatives.
In a letter to Councillor Ivan Ould the county councillor representing the village, Susan Cooper, acting director of neighbourhood services, said they had instructed an agent to let the homes on the basis they would be only six month assured shorthold tenancies but this wasn't done.
"The agent was appointed by us to let and manage the market rented units for a fee to differentiate these tenancies from our affordable rented tenancies and shared ownership units.
"We did not give him permission to say anything other than these were six month assured shorthold tenancies."
Amanda McLean, who was born in Stoke Golding and rents a three-bed detached in the close with her husband, Darren and eight-year-old daughter Isabelle, said residents welcomed the extension but were still unhappy about the situation.
"We do appreciate Raglan are trying to look into things but I don't think anyone is convinced it will be the right outcome for us."