Hanwell Resident Fights Eviction from Long-Term Family Home

Council unwilling to let him stay after mother's death

Kyle Thomas at his mother's funeral

September 24, 2025

A Hanwell man is facing eviction from the home he has lived in for over two decades following the death of his mother, raising questions about tenancy succession rules and housing security in the borough.

Kyle Thomas has lived on Bordars Road since 2004. After caring for his mother until her death in May 2022, he remained in the property and continued paying bills and maintaining the household. However, the council tenancy was formally succeeded by his sister, who Kyle says has no intention of living at the address. With the tenancy due to end, Kyle now faces removal from the property, which he describes as the only home he has ever known.

The house holds deep personal significance for Kyle, whose mother’s ashes are buried in the garden. “To be forced out would destroy me and erase the last part of my mum’s memory,” he said. He has launched a petition urging Ealing Council to allow him to remain, which had attracted over 300 signatures at the time of writing.

Kyle has expressed willingness to take on the tenancy alone, including covering additional costs such as the bedroom tax. Supporters of his campaign say the case highlights broader concerns about housing insecurity and the limitations of current succession rules.

Under national legislation, council tenancies can only be passed down once within a family. The policy is designed to prevent publicly owned housing from remaining within the same household indefinitely, ensuring fair access for others on the waiting list. In this case, Ealing Council states that the tenancy was legally transferred to Kyle’s sister following their mother’s death, with Kyle’s agreement. His sister has since informed the council she wishes to relinquish the tenancy, which was due to end on 21 September.

A spokesperson for Ealing Council said, “We are sorry to hear about Kyle’s situation and understand this must be difficult for him. Kyle can now submit a rehousing request to us. However, due to the huge number of people on our housing waiting list, his case is only likely to be agreed if he has vulnerabilities or particular circumstances that make him eligible for a council property.”

The council added that it may seek possession of the property through the courts if Kyle does not vacate and his rehousing application is unsuccessful.

Tenancy succession has long been a sensitive issue in social housing policy. While some campaigners argue for greater flexibility in cases involving long-term carers or residents with deep ties to a property, councils must balance individual circumstances against broader housing demand.