In the space of one year, a grieving man from Mill End has lost both his parents and the home he grew up in.

Andy Peakes, 30, lived with his parents in Orchard Way, until in December 2009, when his father passed away.

Their tenancy with Thrive Homes was then passed onto his mother. But just a few months later in July, she died as well.

Mr Peakes notified Thrive of her death and expected to be able to transfer the tenancy to his name.

He said: “The neighbourhood officer came to see me in August, she asked if I had any questions, and I went on to ask how much the rent, council tax, etc were.

“She stopped me and said “I'm a bearer of bad news, you need to vacate the property in four weeks”. I was shocked and numbed.”

He received a “notice to quit” letter from Thrive Homes, stating he needs to leave his home for the past 30 years later this month.

Mr Peakes said: “Come the September 20 I will have no where to live. A few friends have said I can stay at theirs for few days at a time, but I've got no where to go.

“I have been through hell the last seven months with losing my Dad and then my Mum and they don't seem to care.”

Rosie Salkeld, from Thrive Homes, said legally there is only one right to succession, and when Mr Peaks’ father died, the tenancy was succeeded by his mother.

She added: “We empathise with Mr Peaks’ situation, and are sorry for his loss, but Thrive Homes is part of a choice based lettings system, where applicants from across the county bid for properties once they have registered with their local authority.

“We have been in contact with Three Rivers District Council and explained Mr Peaks’ circumstances. However legally we need to be consistent when dealing with rights to succession.”

Mr Peakes said he has been bidding on properties through Three Rivers District Council but hasn't been offered anything yet, and had on three more chances before having to move out.

He said: “Once I'm evicted my work life will be affected as I don't even know where I'm going to be living.

“I feel so depressed and stressed that I can't be bothered with anything, but its a case of having to as I don't know what is round the corner.

“I haven't even been socialising with friends or anything. My head is all over the place and I don't know if I'm coming or going.”