Southampton City Council asks man to leave flat on Christmas Day

Darrin Ham, 46, received a notice to vacate his late uncle's Thornhill property on December 25.

He said: "I was totally shocked and devastated. After recently losing a close family member, I will now be made homeless on Christmas Day. A nice Christmas gift that."

Darrin had moved into the flat on Gerard Crescent in February 2022 to care for his ill uncle.

But after Mr Ham died on September 20, Darrin offered the council to pay more than the tenancy agreement to stay in the property.

On November 23, he received a letter asking him to leave on December 25 or "at the end of four weeks from the end of the week when this notice is served on you".

The notice served by Southampton City Council (Image: Submitted)

Darrin, who's originally from Sholing, said his uncle had lived in the property for 12 years.

Despite the flat being in his name, Darrin had been paying the utility costs to help him out.

He said: “It is so inconsiderate of the council. I offered to pay them the money there and then, but they said it can’t be done as it is in my uncle’s name – I feel like it's a catch-22. I really can’t see a way out.

“If I am put back on the council waiting list – then I will be in my 50s before I get a new flat.”

Darrin Ham, 46, says he's about to become homeless (Image: Submitted)

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Darrin suffers from mental health issues and said the matter has made the loss of his uncle even more difficult to cope with.

In response to his claims, a Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “When a council tenant passes away, the tenancy can be inherited or ‘succeeded’, by a partner or close family member, but only if certain conditions are met.

“We would like to clarify that we have not requested for the property to be vacated on Christmas Day and we are trying to work with Mr Darrin Ham while his circumstances are assessed.”