Man with just months to live pleads 'let me die here' as he faces home eviction
A man having been given just six months to live is pleading to be "allowed to die" at his home were he is facing an eviction order.
Housebound James Montague, 58, who is blind and suffers from stage six kidney failure, has been informed he will be forcibly taken from his home in Motherwell today because of a tenancy wrangle.
Supporters are expected to protest against the eviction, which comes despite a medic saying it will be “practically impossible” to safely move James.
He was brought up in the house in Millfield Avenue before moving to a flat nearby and he moved back in with his mum Margaret and dad Patrick, an Alzheimer’s sufferer, to help care for them in 2017. His mother died in 2021 and his father passed away in 2022.
James fell ill himself, losing his sight and suffering chronic problems including neuropathy, diabetes and ulcerative colitis as well as chronic kidney failure. He has also been diagnosed with severe mental health issues. That meant he could not return to his own flat.
London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard
James has been given just six months to live (DAILY RECORD)James said: “My family has been in the house for more than 60 years and all I am asking is that I am allowed to die here. If I had known how my health was going to go, I would have taken care of all the administration. But things have been chaotic and the tenancy was not transferred to me. I’m basically asking for some compassion from North Lanarkshire Council so I can see out my last months.”
James said he kept a tenancy for a housing association flat because it was his intention to move back in but his health issues overtook him and he was unable to. He claims he signed a form to transfer the tenancy of his current home but that North Lanarkshire Council has been unable to find it, reported the Daily Record.
The house were James is living and is being forced to leave (DAILY RECORD)He says rent arrears built up because the payment portal would not take deposits from his account, as he was not the tenancy holder. James’ brother Patrick said he feared his sibling won’t cope with the move. He said: “It seems inhuman that sheriff’s officers will physically carry him out and put him on the street. We hope there is a late change of heart.”
James gave a letter from consultant psychiatrist Dr Laisinghani to the council. The medic wrote: “Mr Montague has a chronic and enduring mental health illness. Currently, his physical health is deteriorating. It is practically impossible for him to be moved due to him being bed bound.”
After his dad’s death, James did not apply for succession of tenancy, due to his health. He was subsequently taken to Hamilton Sheriff Court, which ruled he would be evicted.
A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “While we sympathise deeply with Mr Montague’s circumstances, we have a legal obligation to follow existing tenancy arrangements and laws, including the eviction process ruled by the court. Mr Montague also holds a tenancy with another social housing provider and they may be able to provide him with the assistance he needs at this time.”
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