John Molloy and Sharon Kimmance who are facing eviction from their home in Waterloo. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
A family from Merseyside are facing eviction from their home in just seven days.
Sharon Kimmance, 54, and her partner John Molloy, 56, have been given until March 5 to leave the three-bedroom property due to their refusal to part with their four Chihuahuas.
The house is owned by Plus Dane (PD) housing association, which claims it sought possession of the property following numerous complaints of anti-social behaviour and a violation of the tenancy agreement. PD pointed out two breaches related to keeping pets without prior written consent and tenants breeding animals at the property.
The ongoing disagreement between the tenants and the housing association escalated to court proceedings, resulting in a repossession order being granted. The couple now have one week to secure alternative living arrangements.
While the couple insist they offered to cease animal breeding, Plus Dane maintains there is no record of such an offer.
John stated that although they have been breeding dogs for the past 23 years, they do not view themselves as breeders. According to law, any breeder must hold a registered licence if they breed three or more litters of puppies within a 12-month period – unless they can demonstrate that none of the puppies have been sold either as puppies or adults, reports .
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The couple expressed their shock after Plus Dane (PD) pursued possession of their home, despite being aware of the dogs they kept there since moving in during 2022. John conveyed their distress, admitting: “We aren’t coping, not sleeping, we can’t do anything. We haven’t got the financial, mental or physical capability to move. We love our home”.
Yet, Plus Dane clarified that the dispute extends beyond the breeding of animals or the presence of family pets issues about which it had cautioned the couple both in their present and prior tenancies pointing instead to severe and persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB).
A spokesperson elaborated on the decision, stating: “We have been granted possession of this customer’s home by the courts due to persistent and long-standing issues relating to anti-social behaviour and the persistent breeding of dogs for sale at the home over a long period, which is a breach of tenancy agreement.
“Despite a previous injunction and court order to stop this, the issues continued, and we therefore had no option but to seek possession.”
The Waterloo-based couple strongly refute the ASB claims, particularly regarding noise complaints linked to their dogs’ barking. Sharon defended: “Look at them [the dogs], they couldn’t cause loud noise even if they tried. We’re all lethargic. I’m crying all the time. I’ve got anxiety. The stress is unbelievable.
“We haven’t made a sound in the three years we’ve been here and we’re overly cautious if anything. We live quietly like we’re 40 years older than we actually are.”
Sharon and John have reached out to the housing ombudsman and an advice support service for assistance.
A representative for Plus Dane commented: “As a landlord it is important that we consider neighbours and the impact such behaviours can have on others.
“This action is always a very last resort and is not taken lightly, despite years of trying to reach an amicable solution in this case. Similarly for the courts, the threshold for a court order of this type is high, with the court requiring a significant level of evidence before its ruling. We will comply with the outcome of the court.”