Scottish Coastal Communities Confront Homelessness Threat as Landlord Moves to Sell
Families and pensioners in two picturesque Scottish seaside villages are confronting the stark prospect of homelessness within mere weeks, following a decision by their new landlord to sell off their rented homes. The situation has escalated into a local housing crisis, with at least sixteen households in West Wemyss and Denbeath, Fife, receiving eviction notices from Torah Capital, a London-based investment firm that acquired the properties just four months ago.
Sudden Eviction Notices Leave Long-Term Residents Devastated
Land Registry documents reveal that Torah Capital purchased some of these homes for as little as £62,000 in September last year, a figure significantly below market value. Many residents, including individuals who have lived in the villages for over four decades, now fear being rendered homeless unless Fife Council intervenes promptly. There are growing concerns that further evictions may be imminent, as the firm is understood to have bought more than thirty properties across the area.
Gavin Harrower, 52, who has resided in his home for nearly twenty years with his partner and two teenage children, expressed outrage at the situation. "They bought them for a massively reduced price and now they're having these bulk evictions," he stated. "My property was bought for £62,000 when the market value would be nearer £250,000. Why were they not offered to the tenants at that price?" Harrower, a community champion, indicated that tenants are now mobilising to challenge Torah Capital collectively, with potential legal action aimed at compelling a judicial decision.
Personal Anguish and Financial Hardship Amidst Tight Deadlines
The eviction notices, delivered with letters stating "the landlord of the above property wishes to sell the above property and therefore we attach a notice requiring possession," have caused profound distress. Tam Moffet, 77, and his wife Anne, 69, received their notice on a Saturday, instructing them to vacate by March 22 after a decade in their home. "The wife's tears have run dry. We are just devastated. We have nowhere else to go," Moffet lamented. He recounted being assured that their tenancy would continue unchanged after Torah Capital's takeover, only to face eviction four months later. "In this day and age this shouldn't be happening – most of them are pensioners and a lot of them have medical disabilities. How they can put all these people out of their homes in a few months? I don't know."
Other residents, such as William Crane, 72, have been given until April 1 to leave homes they have occupied since 2017. Crane was previously offered the chance to buy his three-bedroom property at 10% below the market value of £260,000 but found it financially unfeasible. "I don't have the funds to buy it at that price and I'm 73 this year and wouldn't be able to get a mortgage. So I, together with others, am going to end up homeless if this is allowed to proceed," he explained.
Similarly, Ann Cation, 72, and her husband Brian, 74, who recently received news of Brian's cancer remission, were offered their home at a comparable price but could not afford it. They received their eviction notice just yesterday, with a deadline of April 10. "We were really quite horrified. We have until April 10, so not a lot of time. We love it here but now I'm having to look at other places to rent," Mrs Cation said.
Community Response and Council Action
In response to the crisis, a second public meeting in as many weeks is scheduled for Saturday to discuss collective strategies and support for affected residents. John Mills, Fife Council's head of Housing, has requested an urgent meeting with Torah Capital, though a response is still pending. He emphasised, "The council will do everything within our legal powers to help them remain in their homes and prevent homelessness." Torah Capital has been approached for comment but has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the evictions and sales.
This unfolding situation highlights broader issues in the housing market, where investment firms purchasing properties at low prices can lead to displacement of long-standing communities, particularly in areas already grappling with affordability challenges. The residents of West Wemyss and Denbeath now await decisive action from both local authorities and potential legal avenues to secure their homes.
