Single mum and two children face eviction after death of her father

Single mum and two children face eviction after death of her fatherThe housing association says she has no right to stay in the only home she has ever knownCommentsNewsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)10:51, 18 Apr 2026Updated 10:51, 18 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesMalia-Sydney (6), Leo (3) and Saphire O’Connor A single mum fears she and her family could be made homeless because her landlord has told her they won’t transfer their home into her name following the death of her father. Saphire O’Connor, 34, was born at the house in Chatham, Kent, where she looks after her two young children, and is a full-time carer to her adult brother.‌When her dad, Shaun O’Connor, became terminally ill at the end of last year, it was one of his final wishes to assign the rental agreement to his daughter. Saphire said he wanted to die in the knowledge that his family had a secure roof over their heads.‌But housing association mhs homes has written to her saying as “no succession rights exist”, she must vacate the three-bed terrace property. Saphire said: “My parents took over the tenancy in 1992. It’s the only home we’ve ever known. I have grown up here and gone to school here. My friends are here in this community, and my children have settled here.”‌View 2 ImagesSingle mum Saphire faces being homeless Ms O’Connor said they had been good tenants and could not understand why the Medway-based housing provider had turned down her request for a meeting. She said: “They have been to the house and know the situation we are in.”‌Her daughter Malia-Sydney, aged six, has autism and is under an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Her one-year-old baby Leo has additional needs, and her brother Christopher, 35, has autism, ADHD and severe learning difficulties.Saphire, who has lived in the house her whole life, said any changes to their lifestyle would be disruptive and could cause a long-term impact on their mental health and well-being. In correspondence to the family, mhs homes sa...