by WENDY BURKE

CLAIMS OF BEING "locked out" versus having "moved out" are surrounding a dispute over a unit at Bottom Close, the Pine Housing Area, St Michael.

Lee Knight, who resided at block 12H since 1979, is puzzled as to why he was barricaded from the unit when his rent was not in arrears.

The unit is in his mother's name – Gertrude Branford – but she moved out seven years ago and left her son and daughter Christine Branford in the unit. Knight's sister subsequently moved out, but she told the SUNDAY SUN that the rent is deducted from her Government salary, so it is not in arrears.

His mother said that when she left, she applied for a transfer of tenancy in the son's name and even permission to purchase, but neither of the two ever came to light. Requested change

"We requested the change of tenancy and signed all the forms, but every time we called to find out what was happening we were told that the committee did not meet," said Gertrude.

As Knight explained it, the confusion had something to do with his children's mother who used to live there with him. He said she wanted the unit for herself and wanted him to leave, and had complained to the National Housing Corporation (NHC).

"They turned off the light and the water and someone from the legal department told her to hand back in the key and she took it. Housing then gave her a unit at Meadow Road," he said.

He added that when all this was going on, he did not have a clue, as the two of them were no longer together. They share custody of the children because she works shifts and he often keeps them at night.

Knight lamented that one his children was celebrating a birthday on Friday, when he spoke with the SUNDAY SUN that day, and said he could not be with the child as he had nowhere to stay. Withdrew tenancy

However, legal officer with the NHC, Nigel Whitehall, said the utilities were disconnected by the Branfords and that Knight withdrew the tenancy and had started moving out some of his things, leaving his friend (childmother) in the unit.

Knight said he was only let into the house last Wednesday to get a few clothes, but his Akita and fish were in the yard without food.

Whitehall said all Knight had to do was call him and make arrangements to get the rest of his things and they would call the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to deal with the dog.

The matter was also brought to the attention of the representative for St Michael South, Hamilton Lashley, who said he would be writing the Minister of Housing on the matter as he was "very aggrieved" by it.

"They changed the locks without the prior permission of the legal tenant. I will speak with the chairman as well to make sure this is rectified. This is indiscriminate eviction because they are not in arrears," he said.

Lashley added that if the chairman and minister were unable to resolve it, then he would present a petition from those who have suffered a similar fate.