A 72-YEAR-old woman left heartbroken after her brother and daughter died in the space of a week says she cannot understand why social housing provider Selwood Housing are trying to make her responsible for his former home.

Elizabeth Field's brother, John Hotchkiss-Sharp, lived in a Selwood Housing-owned property in Islington, Trowbridge, before he died of cancer on November 2.

Later that day Mrs Field’s daughter, who was suffering from leukaemia, was told that she had just days to live. Her family were devastated when she died on November 8.

Mrs Field, 72, who lives in Monkton Park, Chippenham, said Selwood Housing have not been compassionate at the most difficult time of her life and are making her take responsibility for her brother’s accommodation.

“After registering my daughter's death at County Hall I went to Selwood Housing’s office to tell them about John’s death and give them his death certificate,” said the former social worker.

“Someone who worked there told me that I had to clear the house and remove all items, which I understood.

“So I worked tirelessly with my sons clearing stuff out and making it spotless before taking the key back to Selwood Housing’s office, thinking that would be the end of it.

“But now all of a sudden they are saying I need to fill in a termination contract and that I am liable for any faults that might be found in the building, but there’s no legal reason why I should have to.

“They have also said I need to pay the rent of the property until I fill in the termination contract but I don’t think I should have to. I think they have been completely out of order.”

Mrs Field has never lived in the house in Trowbridge, and has no tenant's rights which would allow her to nominate a family member to move into the property after her brother's death.

A Selwood Housing spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs Field's brother and are working with her to end the tenancy at Islington.

“There have been some communications failings on our part in dealing with this particular tenancy, for which we are sorry for any distress caused. We are looking into these issues to ensure they do not happen again. We are also working with Mrs Field to resolve this matter as smoothly and quickly as possible during this difficult time.

“Even when somebody dies, the law requires we are given four weeks’ written notice to end the tenancy by the person’s legal representative, usually the next of kin. We do appreciate that this is something that cannot be planned for. In order to provide the best service to our customers we will stop charging rent from the Monday after they hand in the keys, even if this is before the four-week tenancy end date.

“Any monies owed will be charged to the deceased’s estate. If there is no money in the estate the debts will be written off.

“The four-week notice period allows us to ensure the tenancy is ended correctly. During this time, with the permission of the legal representative, we will complete any necessary repairs needed before a new customer moves in.”