Disabled Stalham man's home victory

A disabled man and his wife who feared they may be evicted from their home are now safe for at least two years.

David and Margaret Chandler, of Stalham, got into financial difficulty three years ago and turned to a “sell and rent back” scheme to help ease their money worries.

When the buyer disappeared six months into the deal, the couple's rent cheques were returned and they suddenly found themselves facing eviction by the mortgage company that had repossessed the house.

For the past year, Mr and Mrs Chandler, whose problems began in 2007 after remortgaging their house to make it wheelchair friendly, have been fighting to stay in their home.

But now, with the help of north Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, they have come to an agreement with lenders Bradford and Bingley which will see them safe for at least two years.

Mr Chandler, who uses a wheelchair after suffering a number of sporting injuries, said: “They have said we can stay in the bungalow for two years at a rent of �450 a month. In the meantime, between Norman Lamb and Bradford and Bingley, they're going to look to get one of the housing trusts to purchase the property so we can stay here for the rest of our lives.”

The 63-year-old said it was a huge relief for him and his wife following months of stress. He added: “This was Maggie's and my dream bungalow. It's where we wanted to stay until we were carried out in a box. If we can have that, it will be great.”

Mr Lamb said: “The problem was that the bank was also an innocent victim in all this. It's the best outcome we could have hoped for.”

Although some “sell and rent back” schemes are successful, the Citizens Advice Bureau has seen a growing number of problematic cases and encourages anyone considering such a scheme to seek legal advice.