'Our house heartbreak'

7:40am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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A LOVING son who spent years caring for his sick mother is facing eviction from his council home in Harpenden.

Raymond McHale, 64, and his common-law wife Christine Heap, 60, received a notice to quit their three-bedroom house in Sherwoods Rise by St Albans District Council.

In 2000 the couple gave up their council flat in Luton and moved to Sherwoods Rise to care for Mr McHale’s mother, Doris, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

But since her death in January this year the district council’s housing department has convened over the rights of Mr McHale and Ms Heap’s tenancy and decided to evict them.

Mr McHale said: “I’ve been associated with this house since 1970 when my mum and dad moved in. We’re absolutely stunned that we may not have a home come September.

“When we were caring for mum we didn’t think about what might happen in the future. There’s no humanity in this. I feel like they have got one rule and they will not budge. Instead we will be thrown out and will simply be put back on the list to be homed.”

While Mrs McHale was alive the couple took care of all her needs, meaning she did not need to claim benefit any more and they have since paid the rent and rates and owe nothing to the district council.

The couple say they and Mrs McHale have also invested more than £20,000 in the house, making it fit for modern living, including refurbishing the garden and nurturing the fishpond Mr McHale’s father built, which is worth more than £3,000.

Their case was referred to the Housing Review Panel in July 2008 and the decision was that, as the household comprised of just Mr McHale and his partner, he could not stay in a three-bedroom house.

However, due to his health problems they need to sleep in separate rooms.

Mr McHale asked the council to take into account Ms Heap’s heart condition and said moving her could have a damaging effect on her health.

Ms Heap said: “By not putting Doris in a home we saved the council thousands of pounds and we have improved the house, done the garden and now they want us out for under usage – it’s such injustice.”

Mr McHale is one year from retirement and will not be eligible for a mortgage and his modest pension will not cover private rental.

The couple also collect their grandchildren from nearby Grove Junior School, Dark Lane, until their parents get home from work.

Harpenden town councillor Mick Ellis accused the council of “bullying” the couple.

He said: “This is the first time I have been involved in such a severe case of harassment and bullying of such a callous nature. Raymond was in tears while explaining the predicament to me. I was actually stunned by this and it left me numb with disbelief.

“To throw Mr McHale out of his home is totally deplorable and is having a detrimental effect on his partner’s health.

“These tenants pay their own way and all their bills, meaning the council actually receives an income off this property, a far cry from the new tenants who usually take possession and have their bills paid by state handouts.”

Mr McHale says they have not been offered any other accommodation but have been asked to complete a form which will place them on the list for another council house.

He added: “To go on the housing list at our age could take years. Where will they put us?

“The council has given us this terrible fear.”

Joanne Turner, the district council’s tenant services manager, said: “It should be noted there is a significant demand for three bedroom properties – there are 283 families across the district living in unsuitable conditions.

“It is acknowledged that Mr McHale has cared for the property and has made significant efforts to keep the home in a good condition, however, it was made quite clear to him over five years ago that he would have no rights to the property on his mother’s death and would be required to move out.”

But Councillor Ellis added: “The fact that the house has three bedrooms is irrelevant. Stealing back one three-bedroom house is not going to solve the housing problem in the UK.

“This is a time for reality, for officers to make a decision based on common sense and professionalism.”