by Anders Anglesey and Amy Fenton
Daily Record (Scotland)
A blind couple on the brink of eviction has been left astounded by a stranger’s generous offer to purchase their home for them.
“Cath and John Roche, both blind since birth, were shocked when they received a Section 21 notice after their landlords’ properties in Bispham, Blackpool, were seized by a bank. The couple, who have shared a home for 14 years, own guide dogs that are “used to the area,” making a move to a new suitable home within the next two months seem unfeasible.
The Roches were faced with the daunting task of finding a home that would not only be safe for them but also suitable for their guide dogs, Oakley and Jamie. However, a ray of hope appeared when a kind-hearted stranger intervened upon hearing about their predicament on an episode of ITV’s Granada Reports.
She reached out to receivers and estate agents and subsequently set up a GoFundMe page to raise the £135,000 ($175,400) US) needed to secure the four-bedroom property for the couple. As of Monday evening, the fundraising campaign has garnered £309 ($400 US) from 14 generous donors.
According to local news outlet LancsLive, the kind stranger is guide dog puppy trainer Karen Sweetman, from Droylsden in Manchester.
“Moving for them would have a serious detrimental effect as you can imagine as both of them and their current guide dogs are fully comfy with their surroundings and can travel about freely due having been living there for 22 years,” Sweetman told LancsLive. “This is a must for people who are not fortunate to have the gift of sight.”
John expressed his astonishment at the fundraiser, saying: “I was blown away by it,” adding that “It would be a dream come true,” reports The Mirror.
Redbrick Survey and Valuation Limited, the receivers, have since informed ITV that they have paused the sale of the property and ‘remain committed to support the couple through this transition.
The Mirror came across property listings indicating a sale with “tenant in situ,” denoting a tenant’s continuity in the property post-sale, under their current tenancy terms.
LancsLive, a partner of The Mirror, reported a representative from Redbrick saying: “Issuing a Section 21 notice is the start of a process that typically takes several months. When Redbrick seeks possession of a property, we aim to engage with tenants compassionately, offering the flexibility needed to help them secure alternative living arrangements. This includes directing them to local support services for additional guidance and assistance.”
“In our conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Roche, we have shared this information and remain committed to supporting them through this transition. We have paused the sale of the property and will reach out to Mr. and Mrs. Roche again regarding their arrangements.’”
John and Cath had suspicions about the change in ownership after their rent experienced a hike from £700 to £900 ($910 to $1,170 US) last year, understanding that their previous landlord owned ‘more than 200 properties in Blackpool.
Amidst these challenges, Cath finds solace in her retired guide dog Oakley, maintaining the relationship due to the “unbreakable bond between a dog and its owner.”
However, the situation has led to placing her on standby for receiving a new guide dog, given the present turmoil concerning their residence.
“The dogs are used to everything; every bump in the pavement and where crossings are, which places we visit and people we know like our neighbors,” John explained. “It just wouldn’t work for us have to live somewhere else through no fault of our own.”
Legislation to effectively ban Section 21 notices through the Renters’ Rights Bill is currently going through parliament but has not yet been enshrined in law, according to LancsLive. John and Cath both support the revision to the law and say there will be other vulnerable tenants facing eviction in the same way that they do.
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