A grieving father has been left distraught after a Notice to Quit was issued regarding his and his son’s home that’s dated the day his wife died.
Jacqueline Brassett passed away on Wednesday (April 8), six days before her 63rd birthday.
That was also the date on the letter husband Chris received from South Holland District Council last weekend telling him he had to find a new home for himself and son Danny (12), by May 10.
The authority has since told The Voice they will allow both to remain in the house until they find a new home.
Chris and Jacqueline moved into the three bedroom home in Chestnut Avenue in Spalding just over seven years ago.
Jacqueline took on sole tenancy and the pair separated for a while as Chris returned to London where he worked.
But last year he decided to quit his job to be with Jacqueline again and moved in just before Christmas.
In January she fell ill and was admitted to hospital where she was diagnosed with sclerosis of the liver.
Chris says she suffered complications from the resulting surgery which he believes contributed to her death.
Having been identified at risk from COVID-19 Jacqueline had been self-isolating when on Saturday, April 4 she fell ill again.
After having her stomach drained due to an infection she was given just hours to live on the Sunday.
Despite showing signs of improvement the following day, Jacqueline deteriorated again and died on Wednesday, April 8.
“Jacquie was a really strong person who came from a strong background,” said Chris. “She decided she couldn’t fight it anymore.
“I was there and watched my wife die.
“I got home and the first thing I had to do was talk to Danny about what had happened, then I rang the charity Tonic Health.
“I was upset that the council told me that I couldn’t take the tenancy on but then they sent the Notice to Quit and I couldn’t believe they had backdated the letter to the date of my wife’s death.
“Even though I was there when she died I’ve not been able to formally identify her body as it’s in the morgue at Pilgrim Hospital with people who have died with COVID-19.
“Because of that I’ve been told it’s going to be up to 16 weeks before we have the cremation and I won’t be able to get a death certificate to confirm her passing.
“Yet the council send a letter that makes it look like that within hours of her death they’re telling me to quit the home I live in with my wife and son by May 10.
“I’m ex-Army so being homeless doesn’t bother me.
“I’ll erect a tent somewhere and live there.
“Money is not an issue either. I can pay the rent as well as any owed.
“But it’s not a time to be homeless and this is about Danny too.
“He has his own health issues which his school Spalding Academy are aware of and which helps him hugely.
“He’s not even mentioned in the letter that was sent to me.”
South Holland District Council has told The Voice that because the tenancy was changed to a sole tenancy for Jacqueline in 2013 the council is “legally unable to allow Mr Brassett to succeed the tenancy”.
Chris would also have to join the council house registry but would be looking at a two-bedroom house rather than the current three-bed home.
Councillor Christine Lawton, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for Housing and Health, said: “We understand that these are very difficult times for a family who have lost a loved one, and are sorry for any added distress that this process has caused.
“We will support them wherever needed to ensure that their needs are met and that they are able to find a new home and remain in the area if they wish to.
“Our Housing Options team are meeting with Mr Brassett later this week to discuss next steps, and taking their current circumstances into account we are allowing the family to remain in the property until they have secured new accommodation, either through the council or elsewhere.
“Whilst we do all we can to help, unfortunately succession rights around council properties are set out by law through the Housing Act, and legally we are unable to transfer the tenancy on this occasion.
“We understand how challenging this change is for the family and will never look to move people from their homes unless we have no other choice.”
Chris described Jacqueline as “bubbly and bouncy”.
“She was so much fun to be with and she would never let troubles get her down until the last few months when she was in and out of hospital.
“She was also a brilliant mum.”
