We’ve been forced to live in a TENT with our son after we were kicked out our home – the council won’t help us

A FAMILY of three claim they were forced to live in a tent after being evicted from their home.

Ian Barber, 37, says he, his partner Theresa Duggan and son Tyler, 16, currently have no choice after being sacked three weeks ago.

1

The 37-year-old truck driver claims local council will not help and the family’s only option was to stay at a local hotel in Bradwell.

But Ian says they have to spend a whopping £160 a night, which they can’t afford.

They have now set up a tent in their friends’ garden and are lucky that their eight-year-old daughter can stay with another family.

Ian said his family were evicted from their home after they were served with a Section 21 eviction notice in April.

He said he was quick to contact Newcastle Borough Council.

Ian told StokeonTrentLive: “We asked the council what to do. They told us we could sit, but we didn’t have to.”

“The thing is, if you sit out under Section 21, you may be subject to district court judgments, and if the landlord wins, you may have to pay the court fees.”

“So we told the council we were not willing to risk the court fees and we didn’t want to be a bad tenant.”

The 37-year-old said the council told him it was not a problem and that they would not be classified as “homeless” until they were out of the house.

But he added: “Stoke-on-Trent City Council told us they would not classify us as homeless unless we stayed because they felt we were making ourselves homeless.”

“The councils have two different stances.”

Now he says he feels at his wit’s end, adding: “I have no idea what’s happening.” next. I just feel so negative, still not fully covered, I have no idea.

“That’s what makes my head spin. I said I could quit work and start receiving benefits. Then we would be in a paid hotel.”

The truck driver said he and Theresa struggled to save money paying for the rent.

Ian continued: “We’re not down thousands of pounds, we’re fighting.

“I had a nervous breakdown. I have a small compensation if I die.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council declined to comment on Ian’s case.

Councilor Gill Heesom, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing at Newcastle Borough Council, said: “We know this is a difficult time for Mr Barber and his family and we have given them advice.”

“We have a long list of people waiting for accommodation and there is high demand for three bedroom homes in the area.

“The family is on the house-hunting list and if they are shortlisted and a house becomes available, they will be contacted by the landlord.”