A FAMILY-of-five is being forced to share one bedroom after their landlord kicked them out to sell their home.
The Nolans had no choice but to move into temporary council accommodation in Leeds when they chucked out of the house where they lived for 11 years.
The family relies on disability payments as dad craig developed sepsis in 2016 – and mum Melanie is his full time carer.
With no money to afford private rents and the council waiting list so long, Leeds City Council put them in temporary accommodation on January 20.
They are all forced to sleep in a single room and have no where to cook or to do laundry.
Craig told Leeds Live: "We're all currently just in this one room and the kids are arguing and can't get away from each other.
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"It's really stressful – we can't cook or do laundry here so we're racking up all these extra costs we can't afford going out for that.
"It was a shock when we found out we'd have to leave our old house and it just got more and more stressful as we couldn't find anywhere else to go. They make it so difficult – prices have gone sky high and there's no way we can afford private rent anymore.
"The kids need a home and stability – it's a struggle at the moment, we're living out of a bag. All I'm interested in is a home."
The council say they have now found a suitable home for the Nolans – however it is undergoing repairs.
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They have promised the family alternative accommodation in the meantime, but Craig has still not been told when they can move.
Melanie’s aunt Christine Bradley is now helping to pay for food and laundry for kids Sian, 11, Jackson, 10 and Patrick, 7 and has set up a GoFundMe page for the family.
Evictions: Your rights
If you are being evicted, you have the following rights
Your landlord must:
- Give a valid section 21 or section 8 notice
- Get a possession order from court if you haven't left by the date on the section 21 or section 8 notice
- ask the court for a warrant of possession if you haven't left by the date on the possession order
- get an eviction warrant from the court – this means bailiffs can make you leave your home
You could possibly challenge your eviction if your landlord has discriminated against you. For example, if they are kicking you out –
- Because of who you are
- in a way that’s more difficult for you compared with other people
- for a reason that's connected to your disability
- because you complained about discrimination before
If you need help finding somewhere to live, you could get extra money including housing benefit or universal credit.
Christine said: "I can't believe they've ended up here – it's disgraceful.
"They're such lovely people – Melanie has always put others first and is so humble. She just wants a home for her children.
"It's just heart-breaking. The eldest just wants her mum to cook them a proper meal but she can't."
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are proud of the work we do to help people in housing need, with Leeds having one of the lowest temporary accommodation figures of any comparable city in the UK.
“With reference to this particular case, the council can confirm it has made the Nolan family a formal offer of a suitable council property located in a part of the city that they have expressed an interest in.
“The property is currently undergoing repairs and we hope the family will be able to view it shortly. Temporary accommodation will continue to be provided while the repairs are carried out.
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“The council is readying an offer of alternative temporary accommodation – with self-contained bathroom and cooking facilities – for the family to use during this interim period.
“We encourage anyone who is in housing need, homeless or threatened with homelessness to make contact with us as soon as possible so we can work with them and give support.”
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