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03
Nov
Disabled Harrogate man faces eviction from home of 15 years
A disabled Harrogate man is being forced to put his belongings into storage and temporarily move into a care home because his property developer landlord is evicting him.
Richard Farmer, 44, has been living with multiple sclerosis since he was a teenager, uses a wheelchair, and requires round-the-clock care.
But for the last 15 years he has lived in a flat on Montpellier Parade that was specially adapted to his complex physical needs by a previous landlord, enabling him to retain a sense of dignity and independence.
He has also had close support from his family, three generations of whom have been living in other flats in the same building.
But last year, the building was bought by Leeds-based ATC Properties Ltd, which wants to redevelop the properties. As a result, in February, Richard and his family – some of whom had lived for 25 years in the building – were served with Section 21 notices to vacate the premises.
Richard’s family left in April, as requested, but Richard remained as North Yorkshire Council was unable to find him suitable alternative accommodation in time.
His brother Dave told the Stray Ferret:
In some of the dealings I’ve had with the landlord, they’ve said they’re trying to do the best for Richard. But if that were the case, they wouldn’t be evicting him from his home in the run-up to Christmas.
In July, the council offered Richard a flat, which he accepted. But it needed some adaptation, so he was told he could move in during the first week of November.
Dave said:
In mid-October, the move-in date slipped to the end of November, because the contractors hadn’t been given permission to start work. Someone at the council had dropped the ball.
At this point, the landlord lost patience and applied to the court for an eviction notice.
Work to renovate and adapt the new flat only started on Monday of this week, and unfortunately, it won’t be completed before Richard is evicted.
Richard Farmer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his teens.
As a result, Richard has been told he will have to move into a care home until his new flat is ready – something he’s always wanted avoid – and his family is worried that it will have a negative impact on his mental health.
Richard is also worried that his carers, who have looked after him for years and know him very well, will have to find alternative work and may not be available to come back when he finally moves into his new flat – and he doesn’t know for sure when that will be.
Dave said:
Given the slippage we’ve already had, and no work being undertaken for about 10 weeks after Richard first visited the property, we’ve lost faith in the timelines we’ve been given. Our fear is that the flat still won’t be ready at the end of November.
Now, Richard and his family are hoping both the landlord and the council can meet halfway to ensure a seamless transition to new accommodation.
Dave said:
We’re disappointed with the council because of the delays in preparing Richard’s flat, and we’re upset that the landlord hasn’t been a little more patient.
If the landlord could extend Richard’s lease by just a week or two more, and the council could make up for lost time and get his flat ready a little bit sooner, we could avoid this situation – and all the anxiety that goes with it.
The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Council about the delay in getting the new flat ready. A spokesperson said:
We understand the impact that this situation has had and apologise for the delayed start date for works, which was due to factors out of our control.
We are committed to ensuring the flat is available as soon as possible, ensuring it meets the specific needs of the tenant as well as complying with our new lettable standard, which sets out the minimum condition a council-owned property must meet before it is re-let.
Works have started and are scheduled to be completed within the next six weeks, but every effort is being made to make the property available ahead of schedule.
Richard added:
I thought I was going to be here forever, but I’m not. I’ll go wherever can be found, preferably in Harrogate. I just want somewhere I can call my own.
The Stray Ferret has contacted ATC Properties Ltd for comment.
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