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've been forced to live in a tent after being kicked out of their home.
Ian Barber, 37, says he, his partner Theresa Duggan and 16-year-old son Tyler currently have no other choice after being booted onto the street three weeks ago.
The 37-year-old lorry driver claims the local council won't help and the family's only option was to stay in a local hotel in Bradwell.
But, Ian says they would have to fork out a whopping £160 a night, which they can't afford.
They've now pitched a tent in their pals' garden, and are lucky their eight-year-old daughter is able to stay with other family.
Ian said his family was thrown from their home after being served a section 21 eviction notice in April.
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He said he quickly contacted the Newcastle Borough Council.
Ian told : "We asked the council what to do. They told us that we could sit in but we didn't have to.
"The thing is if you sit in after a section 21 you can be subject to county court judgements and if the landlord wins you have to pay the court fees.
"So we told the council that we were not willing to risk paying court fees and we didn't want to be a horrible tenant."
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The 37-year-old said the council told him that wouldn't be an issue and that they wouldn't be classed as "homeless" until they were out of the house.
But, he added: "Stoke-on-Trent City Council told us that if we didn't stay they would not class us as homeless because we were making ourselves homeless, according to them.
"The councils have two different attitudes."
Now he says he feels like he's at his wit's end, adding: "I have no idea what happens next. I just feel so negative, still not fully covered, I have no idea.
"That's what's screwing with my head. I've said I might quit work and get benefits. Then we'd be in a hotel paid for."
The lorry driver said he and Theresa had struggled to save money while paying for a rental.
Ian continued: "We haven't got thousands of pounds behind us, we struggle.
"I had a mental breakdown. I've got a bit of a pay-out if I die."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council declined to comment on Ian's case.
Councillor Gill Heesom, cabinet member for community safety and wellbeing at Newcastle Borough Council, said: "We do appreciate that this is a difficult time for Mr Barber and his family and we have been providing advice to them.
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"We have a long list of people waiting for housing and there is high demand for three-bedroom houses in the area.
"The family are on the list for housing and if shortlisted and should a house become available they will be contacted by the housing provider."