Mum with disabled son still living in fear after eviction delayed only two weeks

Lorraine Robinson-Moseley, whose son has severe autism, said sheriff officers were due to turn up at her door forcing the family out on Wednesday despite current guidance that says they should not evict tenants in tier 4 areas like West Lothian.

Ms Moseley, full-time carer for her 23-year-old son, said she is relieved that the eviction was put off to December 17 but said the family still face the same ordeal in two weeks time, as the accommodation they are moving to is not ready.

Campaigners and politicians have accused the Scottish government of failing to introduce a formal legal ban on evictions this winter, despite their claims that protections are in place.

The family have lived in their private accommodation for 11 years but the owners decided to sell up earlier this year.

Hannah Bardell MP has branded an eviction in 2 weeks time as ‘nonsensical’ and has called on sheriff officers to give the family more time to allow work on their new home to be completed.

The family has secured council accommodation but one of the properties needs modifications to cater for the son’s round-the-clock care needs and this won’t be done until the end of January. West Lothian Cncil claim the family could move into the property now, despite work going on.

But with work including major flooring and a sensory room next to the garden still to be finished, Lorraine said her son's medical team have been clear that the property would not be fit for him until the end of January. His support team also won’t be ready until then.

Lorraine said: “The delay to the eviction comes as a relief, but in 2 weeks time we will be faced with exactly the same situation. My son won’t have anywhere suitable to go, the essential work on the home that he’s due to move into should only be finished at the end of January. Until then, we need to stay in our current home.

“The delay buys my family and my union Living Rent time to make sure that we have all the legal support we need and to make sure there are better protections for other families in my situation.

“We’re still living in fear and the only thing that will change that is if the sheriff officers legally can’t carry out the eviction until the end of January when my son’s needs are met."

The family have been supported by Living Rent and local politicians.

Ms Bardell has written a letter to Hannah’s the Sheriff Officers company warning that the eviction goes against current guidance.

She wrote: "Moving the eviction to 17 Dec is just delaying the threat and pain of an eviction, right before Christmas. I won't rest until this awful situation is resolved for my constituent Lorraine, her son and family.

"They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and those who are responsible for their untimely eviction need to know I will not stop until this is sorted.”

Sheriff officer company Hannah’s said they will follow through with the landlords’ orders. The landlords’ solicitor was approached for comment.

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