Grieving son may lose home in Haggerston
Barry Castleman is facing eviction from his parents home by Hackney Council after his mother passed away recently. - Credit: Archant
A bricklayer is distraught after he was served with an eviction notice from the home his parents lived in for 52 years – a week after he buried his mother.
Barry Castleman, 46, of Scriven Court, Haggerston, now faces losing his home on top of coming to terms with the death of his 84-year-old mother from lung disease.
Last Thursday – just a week after her funeral – he received a letter from Hackney Homes telling him it was going to evict him from the house, which he moved into in 2009 following the death of his father.
He had applied for joint tenancy on the property but this was refused by Hackney Council.
Mr Castleman said: “I think it’s unfair of Hackney Council to have sent this letter straight away. I’ve just buried my mum and now this. It’s a real shock and I don’t know which way to turn.
You may also want to watch:
“I’ve been trying to do the right thing. I’ve written to the council many times to get a joint tenancy.
Application
Most Read
- 1 Jailed: 'Dangerous' Hackney predator found with 1,600 indecent child images
- 2 Campaigners launch legal challenge against Hackney LTNs
- 3 Police appeal for help to trace wanted Dalston man
- 4 Shop Local: Stoke Newington entrepreneur launches dog accessory business
- 5 Hackney road closures 'will cost lives', says volunteer ambulance service
- 6 Joint Covid patrols launched to ensure lockdown rules are followed
- 7 'Common sense' prevails as Stamford Hill testing centre moved out of estate
- 8 Covid-safe shared workspaces in Hackney on flexibility without formalities
- 9 Hackney Council cyberattack: Stolen data published on the dark web
- 10 Homerton Hospital says 'stay home' after 'major incident' declared
“My parents have been in this property for 52 years. They were the first ones here and I was born here.
“My dad was a scrap metal dealer and my mum was a dinner lady at Edith Cavell School and worked as a cleaner at the London Stock Exchange. They have always paid their way.”
Prior to moving back home, Mr Castleman was living with friends.
He said: “My mum could not cope when my dad died and her condition worsened.”
The letter that was sent to Mr Castleman told him that his application for joint tenancy had been refused and offered to reimburse him for rent and council tax he had paid.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “While we fully appreciate this is a sad time for Mr Castleman, he was not eligible for a joint tenancy with his mother.
‘‘Before we can decide if he is eligible for a tenancy of his own, we need to know more about his circumstances, to better understand his housing needs.”
