A former soldier who risked his life for his country in the Middle East is facing eviction from his family home over a council tenancy dispute.
Nicky Morris, 24, served as a lance bombardier in Iraq and Afghanistan with 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, but left the army in 2012 to care for his dad, Raymond.
Despite being up to date with rent – and in the process of buying the three-bedroomed house – he received a letter out of the blue from Barking and Dagenham Council last week telling him to vacate the property by April 20.
“I was devastated when I read the letter,” Nicky admitted. “I’ve been here since I was five.
“After everything you go through as a soldier fighting for your country, you never expect to come back to something like this.It’s a real kick in the teeth.”
“Other people seem to get houses at the drop of a hat.”
Originally taken out in his mother Eileen Higgins’ name, the tenancy passed to his father following her death in 2000.
But even though Nicky has paid the council tax for the property for the past three years, council housing rules prohibit tenancy agreements from being passed on more than once.
Nicky, who lives with his niece, Keeley Monro, 21, has always feared giving out his address as an ex-soldier in the wake of the Lee Rigby killing. But unless alternative accommodation is offered soon, the personal trainer says he may have no address at all.
“It’s just crazy how much can change in a year,” he added. “If they don’t re-house us, we’ll actually be homeless. There’s nowhere else for us to go.”
A council spokesman said Nicky is not technically a council tenant, but living in a “use in occupation” capacity following the death of his father – the legal tenant.
He said that Nicky had been advised to visit the council’s Housing Advice Centre and to seek his own independent legal advice.
He added that if Nicky did not leave the house by April 20 “the council will progress to court”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here