A Bushey family have been evicted from their rented home and forced to move into a hotel, after Hertsmere Borough Council failed to provide them with "adequate housing".

This morning, carrying as many belongings as they could, the Braddock family set off for a bed and breakfast in South Mimms, after being evicted from their home in St Leonards Close.

The family contacted the Watford Observer at the end of April, describing their fears that they could be left homeless, after they were notified by their landlord they would be evicted in December 2011.

The family of seven rented the property through a private landlord, but Hertsmere Borough Council paid their rent through housing benefits.

Despite appealing to Hertsmere Borough Council for new, this morning they were forced out of the home they have lived in for the past year by bailiffs.

Mrs Braddock, 44, who is registered disabled, said: "The council has let us down big time, I don’t want to live anymore.

"First of all we were offered a flat in Borehamwood, but it simply wasn’t big enough, there are seven of us. Plus there’s the fact that I have MS, one of my sons has autism and the other son has a heart condition (Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome) and ADHD.

"Now we are having to go to a bed and breakfast in South Mimms. They’ve put us in two rooms. Seven people in two rooms, how is that going to work?

"They're expecting two young men to sleep in the same bed together and one to sleep on a sofa bed. It's ridiculous. Initially we were told we were not allowed to move in until 2pm, so from our eviction at 10.30am we would have to sit and wait for hours in our car. Luckily the hotel has seen sense, but the whole situation is madness. I’ve had to keep the kids off of school, and all of our clothes are in carrier bags.

"As for our stuff, we’ve had to rent a garage in Borehamwood for £40 a month, but it’s not big enough for all of our belongings.

"I’ve had to leave behind my three piece suite and other expensive items such as Boss jeans."

According to Mrs Braddock, the council has said it has nowhere to put the family in the area, and has not told them how long they will have to remain at the South Mimms hotel.

She said: "We’re at the council’s mercy.

"They did suggest putting us in a three bedroom house in Enfield or Edmonton, but our kids are settled at schools in Bushey and the houses are not going to be big enough for seven either.

"There has been no further mention of placing us in Enfield or Edmonton, the council’s attitude seems to be ‘if you don’t like it, tough’."

Representatives for Hertsmere Borough Council said the Braddock’s situation was down to a national shortage in housing, and that temporary accommodation in Hertsmere was limited.

Gail Anderson, council spokeswoman, said: "Every effort is made to offer accommodation in the borough to people who have been facing homelessness, especially those with children who are sitting school exams.

"However, there is a national housing shortage and temporary accommodation in Hertsmere is limited.

"If we are unsuccessful, for people with children or individuals with support needs, we will try to find self-contained accommodation outside the borough, which could be in Enfield, Harrow, Tottenham, Edmonton or further afield if necessary.

"In instances where no self-contained accommodation is available, we will have to offer B and B or hotel accommodation.

"We appreciate for those involved in situations like this, it is not ideal, but every effort is made to ensure they are moved into more suitable accommodation at the first opportunity.

"We are, however, limited in the type of accommodation we can offer because of the national housing shortage."