Siblings facing eviction from their lifelong residence after their mother’s unexpected passing have reached out to Hackney Council, seeking “fair treatment and empathy.”

Joanne Thompson, 44, and her brother Calvin Gray, 55, risk losing the home they’ve inhabited for over forty years due to the fact that their mother’s tenancy, originally held by their father, was transferred to her more than 30 years ago.

According to succession regulations in England and Wales, a council tenancy can only be inherited once.

The council stated that it is currently evaluating whether the family qualifies for alternative housing and claimed to have been “in regular communication” with them to clarify the succession rules.

In an effort to secure the tenancy for their flat on Hackney’s Linzell Estate, Joanne submitted a request for a tenancy succession, only to find out that they did not meet the criteria because of the prior transfer by their father in 1992.

The council intends to terminate the tenancy on December 21, which would give Mr. Gray, Ms. Thompson, her husband Dale, and their five-year-old daughter just 28 days to vacate the home.

The family expresses their distress about potentially losing their “emotional and community foundation” at the Linzell Estate, where they have resided since 1978.

Their mother, Megan, passed away in July after a brief battle with cancer.

The siblings mentioned that their grief has been further exacerbated by the two-month delay in her burial and Ms. Thompson’s recent job loss at Santander.

“It’s nearing Christmas,” Mr. Gray told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“They haven’t shown us any evidence of the prior succession,” his sister remarked. “I just want some clarity.”

While the family might be offered a discretionary succession or assistance in relocating, Ms. Thompson noted that she hasn’t received anything documented and feels frustrated by the “vague” discussions with housing officials.

She stated, “Numerous others have lived here for many years. My daughter has just started school in this area.”

In response, Hackney Council indicated that they have been “in regular contact with the family for several months” to provide guidance, a claim that Ms. Thompson disputes.

A spokesperson for the council added, “We understand that this is a challenging time for the family, and like with all comparable situations, we aim to handle this matter with sensitivity and regard for the remaining family members.

“As we’ve explained, since the tenancy has already been transferred once, there are no further statutory rights to succession.

“Nevertheless, we are evaluating whether they might qualify for alternative accommodation through our housing allocations system.

“If approved, given that their current home is under-occupied, any offer would be for a more appropriate residence that suits their needs.”