TWO daughters face being kicked out of their home of 15 years after their mum died of Covid.
Kyra King, 48, died from the bug in February, leaving behind her devastated daughters Courtney Johnson, 23, and Milly, 16.
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The family had lived in a rented four-bedroom home in Cannock, Staffordshire for 15 years.
But Courtney, a mum-of-one, has been told she can’t take over the tenancy as it ended with Ms King’s death.
They were told by Sanctuary Housing that because Courtney wasn’t on the lease and there is no “succession” due to Milly’s age, they are unable to rent the house themselves.
The frustrated daughters have appealed to Sanctuary Housing to change their decision.
A petition for Courtney to be allowed to take over the tenancy has attracted more than 26,000 signatures.
Courtney told the Birmingham Mail: “It means everything to me and Milly to live in my mum’s house. This is our family home, where our memories are.
“My mum’s passed away and now they’re trying to take the house from us. This house is everything and more, we grew up in this house, and all our friends live on this estate.
“I can’t explain to you how much staying in this house means to us.”
FAMILY IN MOURNING
Ms King, a mum-of-five, caught Covid over Christmas and was later rushed to hospital after she began having difficulty breathing.
She was placed in a coma, but died on February 2.
Kyra left behind son Jordan, 27, as well as a 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, who are now living with their dad.
After her mum’s death, Courtney rented another home in Cannock, with Milly sleeping on her settee.
Courtney said: “I’m just trying to be as strong as I can but Milly’s not sleeping, she’s constantly crying, she’s asking when she can go home.”
Courtney said she has told Sanctuary Housing that she can afford the rent, and that she is willing to pay three months’ rent up front.
She said: “They haven’t taken the house away yet. They rang me yesterday and said there’s a couple of weeks before they put the house up for rent.
“They’re saying no to Milly and I having the house because they say we haven’t got succession.
“If Milly was 18 she would automatically have succession to the house because she’s lived here for the 12 years, but because she’s 16 she can’t have the house and because I haven’t lived at the house since I was 16 or 17, I’m not on the tenancy so they’re saying I can’t take it on.”
Courtney said she even offered to buy the house but was told no.
Sanctuary Housing said: “We were saddened to hear Miss King had passed away and our thoughts remain with her whole family following their loss.
“Work is continuing to ensure the housing needs of all the family members are considered.”
