Disabled Mother and Son Face Eviction Crisis

A disabled mother and her terminally ill son are facing eviction from their adapted Wokingham home as their landlord moves to repossess the property through the courts.

Lynne Antink, 71, and her son Colin, 34, who were due to leave on Saturday 18 July, have lived in the chalet bungalow on Denton Road since 2009. The landlord says the sale will fund new homes in West London.

Both are registered blind, hearing impaired and have major mobility issues. The house was adapted for their needs and paid for by the taxpayer. Colin has terminal Addison's disease and kidney failure - stress can trigger life‑threatening adrenal crises.

Lynne said: "Five more days left before kick out is official... this silence is deafening. We are both incredibly scared now."

They were served a Section 21 notice on April 24, days before the government banned so‑called no‑fault evictions. The landlord, Co-op Homes acting for Middlesex Housing Co‑op, says the sale is needed to fund "the first new co-operative housing developments in West London in a generation".

Lynne begged the landlord in a final appeal: "I am begging you... please let us stay here. Surely you have other properties to sell?"

Managing director Steven Wild said: "We know any such change in housing can cause uncertainty, and the decision... has not been taken lightly. As a small not‑for‑profit provider... MHC have to carefully consider the best use of all their properties." He added the organisation delayed legal action to allow time for rehousing.

Lynne hit back: "They must have other properties... does anyone there have a heart?"

She also said: "No one has bothered to respond to my letters, my emails or anything from Co-op homes. They've just admitted they want us out to start a wonderful new project in London. We're just in the way at the moment. Following my statement that Co op aren't talking to me I had a sudden phone call from [a] housing officer at Co op homes. Very curt, coldly told me what's going to happen and that the Co op WILL obviously be granted the house back."

The next step is a court hearing, which Lynne says she will attend despite fears about the impact on them both. "We are effectively homeless and terrified. I just want someone to listen before it's too late."

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter