A bus driver and his young family have been told to leave their home after the death of his veteran father.

Anthony Mould, 29, has lived at his father’s home in Effra Close in Wimbledon for the last 10 years, which is also home to his 18 month old son and pregnant wife.

After his father passed away in June, Mr Mould contacted the Wimbledon Guild, who manage the property, to ask that his tenancy be transferred into his name.

Instead the grieving family received a letter telling them they would have to vacate the property because they had "alternative plans" for the property.

Mr Mould said: "They didn’t even talk to us directly.

"We got a letter come from Bells, their agent, on July 22.

"Basically it said that further to recent telephone conversations we have spoken to the landlord and they said they are not able to offer you a tenancy as they have alternative plans for the property."

Previously when a parent has died their children have been able to transfer their tenancy on one occasion - a courtesy not extended to Mr Mould, despite informing the Guild via their property agent that he had lived there for the last 10 years.

He added: "My dad has been ill with cancer and I’m under a lot of pressure with a pregnant wife and young boy.

"How do they expect me to move out in just a few weeks?

"Who in these circumstances would do this?"

Three other families have also been asked to move out of their homes in Effra Close.

One long term resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "On one hand the Wimbledon Guild has this public profile of being a social welfare housing and how brilliant they are and it’s just absolutely disgraceful that the way they treat their residents."

The Wimbledon Guild refused to comment on an individual case and would not reveal what their plan for the property was, but said they would be happy to have a private conversation with those affected.

 

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