Brighton woman's shock after abuser's name put on letters

The woman, from Brighton, who cannot be identified, was moved out of her home by Brighton and Hove City Council last year after she was assaulted by her former partner.

She has received several letters with her former partner's name on them, including council tax demands, at her new address outside Brighton, some as recently as last week.

She also said the temporary home was so cold it left her children with “blue lips” and having to sleep in coats during the winter. She also claimed to have no heating and oven at one point.

The woman claims they had to sleep with coats on at night to keep warm

The council said it is hoping to arrange alternative temporary accommodation “closer to her support network” in the city but noted the “acute shortage of affordable family-sized” homes available in Brighton.

The woman told The Argus: “I was sent council tax letters from the other property they moved us from due to threats made against my life and now I am sent letters asking to pay my half of the council tax.

“It makes me worry, it’s quite dangerous. If it was a situation where he wasn’t allowed to see his children and there was a threat to them, then how do we know the post with my name and address isn’t going to him?

She was moved out into emergency accommodation after the incident last year

“That was one of my biggest concerns."

The woman has tried to find a more suitable home through the council’s Home Move site which allows existing council tenants and people at risk of homelessness to register their interest in properties.

But she was unable to bid on more suitable properties after part of her application was not accepted.

She added: “There are rats in the cavities, you can hear them in the walls. At one point in December I had no heating and no oven.

“I haven’t even got a washing machine, I can’t afford to run anything like that on the electric meter. Everything you have to do feels like it’s degrading you even more. Somebody else has to clean your dirty clothes, I bring them over to a family member’s house every two weeks.

“I feel like I’m just existing, not living. I haven’t got a job, I would love to go out and get one but I can’t at the moment as I’m looking after and commuting with the children. It feels like once I was moved I became not the council’s problem any more.

She wants to get a more suitable house nearer Brighton. Picture by Ian Stannard

“I can’t even access properties to look at. Even if I can get a one bedroom, if it’s heated and safe then I’m happy.”

The woman is now able to bid on permanent social housing since The Argus got in touch with council. A spokesman said it has been in regular contact with her.

A council spokesman said: “We have a team of welfare officers who offer support to everyone we place in emergency accommodation.  

“The team has been in regular communication with the individual in question throughout their time with us.  

“Our contractors fixed their cooker the day after they reported the problem. We have also checked and confirmed that all the heaters in the property are working.  

“We are aware of this individual’s wish to be closer to their support network in Brighton and Hove. We hope we will be able to arrange alternative temporary accommodation for them soon. 

“But unfortunately there is an acute shortage of affordable family sized accommodation available in the city. 

“Our lettings team recently received updated information from the individual, who can now bid for permanent social housing in the area they wish to live.  

“We will be in contact with them again shortly to see if they need any additional support.”