Brothers to be evicted after mother dies

YOUNG brothers whose mum died are being evicted from their lifelong home because of a legal technicality.

Ashley and Jon Bartlett expected to continue living at the family house in Bewbush after their mother Cathy died of cancer three days after Christmas.

But Crawley Borough Council, which owns the Hatfield Walk house, had other ideas.

Ashley, 20, said: "I thought we could just carry on paying the rent. We've both got steady jobs.

"We went to the town hall a week after mum died and they said they would be issuing an eviction notice.

"I have grown up here so it has lots of memories for me."

The house would have passed to Ashley and Jon under the "succession" rule if Their parents had not separated 18 years ago.

Ashley added: "My dad's name came off the forms and mum took over as the official tenant.

"She had lived here the whole time so it hadn't really changed hands.

"We are definitely challenging this decision any way we can."

Ashley criticised the council's plan to evict them without providing alternative housing.

He said: "Basically they have offered us nothing. They just want to take this house and that will be the end of it.

"They said we could go on the housing list and gave us an application form, but getting a house could take years."

The council offered its "sincere sympathy" to the Bartlett family but said a second succession is not legally possible.

A council spokeswoman said: "In cases where there has been a previous succession or assignment, no further transfer of the tenancy is permitted.

"The council provides housing advice and aims to offer as much support as possible.

"For example, we discuss residents' rights to apply for council accommodation in their own right and offer advice and assistance in applying to the rent deposit scheme to access private housing and housing benefits.

"The Bartlett family is yet to discuss these options with the housing options team."

Cllr Chris Cheshire, who represents Bewbush on Crawley Borough Council, said: "It's a very sad case and everyone's first reaction must be sympathy for the situation these two young men find themselves in.

"The council must be very sensitive and take time working through the options with them."