A MECHANIC from Kidderminster is “devastated” after being told he has no right to his childhood home weeks after his mum died. 

Douglas Phipps, aged 38, cared for his late mother Lynda June Phipps at her Pershore Road home for a decade after her health started to deteriorate.

The self-employed father lived at the home for 32 years before his mum died on January 16 at the age of 72, days after a fatal brain tumour was discovered. 

Following her death, Douglas says The Community Housing Group informed him he does not have the right to succeed the home and issued him with a Notice to Quit document to bring the tenancy to an end.

Now, he fears he will have to fight for the home in court. 

Douglas, who has dyslexia and suffers with mental health issues, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I’m not being allowed succession. I feel like I’m being bullied and victimised.

“We lived here 32 years and this has always been my home and my mom’s. She was very ill over the last few years - she had arthritis and other problems which left her needing help.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Lynda June Phipps Lynda June Phipps

“As the youngest in the family, I decided to stay and look after her, clean the house, look after her dogs, help her wash her hair and get her out of bed on bad mornings.”

Lynda was previously the landlady of the old Horn and Trumpet in Kidderminster and other local pubs.
Douglas says he hasn’t managed to arrange his mother’s funeral and the stress of bereavement and fear of being moved out of his home is damaging his mental health.

“I have got bereavement to deal with. Every day I’m trying my hardest to make money. It’s causing me a lot of stress,” he said.

Douglas also says it was his mum's wish for him to raise a family there. 

He has a partner who lives at Bliss Gate with their two-year-old son and his 13-year-old stepson. He says the issues have caused a strain on their relationships. 

Douglas says he does not claim benefits and did not claim carer's allowance for looking after his mum. 

He said: “I care more about family than I do about making money.

“The last 10 years of my life, I have been looking after my mum in this house. This was my role in life. 

“In two weeks I am going to put my mum in the ground and it’s going to be the hardest thing ever.”

The Community Housing Group said a shorthold tenancy has been offered to Douglas to allow him time to find a new home.

A spokesman said: “Mr Phipps currently occupies a three bedroom family home on his own following the recent death of his mother who was the tenant.

“Although he does not qualify for the tenancy, as a temporary measure, Mr Phipps will be offered an Assured Shorthold Tenancy of the property, which will give him a period of time to register on Home Choice Plus and start to bid on alternative accommodation more suitable to his needs as a single person. 

“We have advised Mr Phipps of this offer and will do everything we can to assist him in this process.”