CAMPAIGNERS have confronted a couple in Balloch who it’s alleged are planning to evict a family before Christmas.

Members of the Living Rent tenants’ union turned up at the landlords’ home in the village as part of a “day of action” in defence of the family with a son with complex needs.

The landlords, and letting agency Martin&Co, are accused of preparing to evict the family on November 30 from a property in Bathgate, West Lothian.

Council officials there withdrew funding to work on adjustments on the property for their son’s severe autism, leaving them with no suitable home.

On Friday, Living Rent presented letters to the landlords in Balloch and letting agency, demanding they reverse their decision to evict the family.

The campaigners said they were told “I will not comment, this is the least of my worries” when they confronted the landlords at their home in the village.

Kyle White, of Living Rent West Lothian, said: “The landlord and letting agency are threatening our member’s family with a disruptive Christmas, so today we’re celebrating Christmas early and disrupting their business until they agree to our demands.”

An eviction order was granted in September at the First Tier Housing Tribunal, despite the national ban on evictions until next March.

But since March, 350 eviction orders have been granted in Scotland, according to a report by news website The Ferret.

Shelter Scotland have also raised concerned that the main cause of homelessness is through a loss of tenancy.

Lorraine Robinson-Moseley’s son has severe autism, hyperacusis and sensory processing issues.

She said: “With my son’s conditions, it has taken us so long to find a suitable home and feel accepted. All we are asking for is a delay to the eviction to ensure my son’s new home will be ready for him.

“This is his future we are talking about here. Eviction will cause him extreme emotional distress. This eviction needs to be overturned.”

Jack Hanington, Living Rent member, added: “Until the landlords agree to delay the eviction until the end of January, Lorraine’s tenants’ union will resist this eviction, firstly at the landlord’s doorstep and then, if necessary, at the doorstep of Lorraine and her family’s home.”

The Reporter approached the landlords and Martin&Co for comment but there was no reply at the time the paper went to press.