A TENANT is devastated after he was given an eviction notice - on Christmas Day.

       Darrin Ham, 46, was told to vacate his late uncle’s property in Southampton on December 25.

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       Tenant Darrin Ham may be made homeless on Christmas Day Credit: Google

       He said: "I was totally shocked and devastated.

       "After recently losing a close family member, I will now be made homeless on Christmas Day. A nice Christmas gift that."

       Darrin had moved into the flat in February 2022 to care for his uncle, Charles Ham, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

       But after Mr Ham died on September 20, Darrin offered the council to pay more than the tenancy agreement to stay in the property.

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       On November 23, he received a letter asking him to leave on December 25 or "at the end of four weeks from the end of the week when this notice is served on you".

       Darrin said his uncle had lived in the property for 12 years.

       Despite the flat being in his name, Darrin had been paying the utility costs to help him out.

       He said: “It is so inconsiderate of the council.

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       "I offered to pay them the money there and then, but they said it can’t be done as it is in my uncle’s name – I feel like it's a catch-22.

       "I really can’t see a way out.

       “If I am put back on the council waiting list – then I will be in my 50s before I get a new flat.”

       In response to his claims, a Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “We would like to clarify that we have not asked Mr Darrin Ham to vacate the council property by Christmas Day and instead issued a notice that the tenancy is due to expire following Mr Charles Ham’s death.

       "We have been trying to speak with Mr Darrin Ham, to assess his circumstances, as for him to be able to inherit (or ‘succeed’) the tenancy, certain conditions must be met and evidence of his eligibility must be provided.

       "Demand for social housing in Southampton far outweighs supply, and with thousands of people on the housing register, we have a responsibility to ensure homes are allocated fairly and in accordance with our established allocation policy."