'I'm not going anywhere soon': Tenants facing eviction in two Fife villages prepare legal challenge

Residents in two Fife villages who have been given weeks to leave their homes say they are preparing legal action against their landlord.

Seventeen households in West Wemyss and Denbeath were issued eviction notices earlier this month after it emerged their landlord, Torah Capital, plans to sell the properties.

Following a public meeting at the weekend, tenants say they intend to challenge the evictions through a mass tribunal.

Among those affected is Blair Denwette, who has lived in his home for more than 20 years. He and his daughter, who lives in a separate flat upstairs, are now packing up their belongings.

Mr Denwette told STV News the decision had come as a devastating blow.

“I felt that we had been totally betrayed,” he said. “To be actually forced to move out at 81 – my daughter suffers from a number of auto-immune illnesses – it suggests to me there isn’t anything in terms of humanity in how this is being done.”

Mr Denwette is one of 17 households across West Wemyss and Denbeath who have been told to leave their homes, with some residents given just weeks’ notice.

The evictions come only four months after Torah Capital purchased around 30 properties in the area from Wemyss Estate.

Sixteen-year-old Iona Harrower has lived in her home for most of her life and says the uncertainty has been difficult to process.

“I was diagnosed about a year ago with autism, so it’s really difficult for me to deal with change,” she said. “Even the idea of changing where we live, it’s really a lot.”

Her father, Gavin Harrower, was one of the first to alert MPs to the evictions. He says several members of his family – including his mother-in-law and brother – have also received notices.

Residents are now preparing to challenge the landlord’s actions.

“We’re all looking to collectively take this to a tier one tribunal,” Mr Harrower said. “Fife is in the middle of a housing emergency at the moment. There’s not a lot of housing stock available, so I’m not going anywhere soon.”

Fife Council says it is supporting those affected.

Council leader David Ross said: “Quite honestly, I think it’s scandalous and an outrage. From a councillor’s point of view, we’ll do anything we can to support the residents.”

Torah Capital did not respond to a request for comment.