A Battersea couple, who are expecting their first child in just two weeks, are at risk of being left homeless after they were issued an eviction notice by Wandsworth Council.

Aran Suleyman, 34, moved into the flat on Ravenet Court in April 2017 as a carer for his 94-year-old granddad, Fredrick William Trundley.

Mr Trundley has lived in the property since the 1940s. He suffers from several medical conditions including anaemia, kidney disease, glaucoma, hypertension, gout and obstructive pulmonary disease.

Upon moving in, Mr Suleyman requested that his name was put on the rent book. He told Wandsworth Guardian: “This request was rejected and all a council officer could tell me was that I could be added as a household member.

“After speaking to Shelter earlier this year, I found out that my grandad could give written permission to add me to the rent book. No one at the council informed me of this. When we decided to move my grandad to a care home, we notified the council officer and they just wanted to know when we would hand the keys back and move out.”

The council officer issued Mr Suleyman with a notice to quit in April 2018. However, according to Mr Suleyman, this was tampered with and filled out by the officer.

“They filled out the form as if it was me, in emails the Housing Options and Assessment Team stated that we had not been issued a notice to quit and this is why our homeless application was rejected,” Mr Suleyman added.

The family were given a discretionary application when they visited the council, which was later rejected. When consulting Shelter, they found out that this is only given when the person whose name is on the lease dies.

Mr Suleyman said: “It feels like we were set up to fail, the council knew that my granddad is in care – they are paying for it. We were also told by the homeless section that there are no council properties left, which I later found out to be false.

“A neighbour informed me that a property is available in a neighbouring block, so this was another lie we were told. We were told that we would have to find private accommodation. We cannot afford this on a single wage.

“My wife is on maternity leave and is due on September 3 so I am currently the sole earner. When we were told about temporary accommodation, they said this would be in Reading, which is no where near where either of us work!”

Mrs Suleyman, 33 added: “This has caused us a lot of stress during an already stressful period. I have been to the hospital multiple times with issues in my pregnancy, we have no idea where we will go. I have no family in England and we are being left homeless with a baby on the way.

“The council have said that we are not a priority. We have had no help from the council. This has been an extremely upsetting and stressful period.”

Simon Hogg, Wandsworth Labour leader said:“It's dreadful that the council has ordered Mr Suleyman to leave his home - with a deadline just days after his wife is due to give birth. 

“This is heavy-handed and heartless treatment by Wandsworth council. Being threatened with homelessness has caused a lot of stress to the couple as they prepare for their new arrival.”

“There are now 2,500 homeless children in Wandsworth Council temporary accommodation. This is a badge of shame for Wandsworth Conservatives. The result of their failure over many years to put local people ahead of the interests of property developers.”

A council spokesman said: "Mr and Mrs Suleyman did not meet the criteria for a discretionary tenancy at this address and there were no exceptional circumstances that would give them priority over other people awaiting housing. No eviction date has yet been set, but when it is we will work with Mr and Mrs Suleyman in the usual way to help them secure alternative accommodation."