A family of four are facing homelessness after waiting on the housing register for as long as nine years.

Tanya Tuke, her partner Paul Winslow, and their children, Jayden, eight, and Riley, one, have been privately renting for the last six years in Poulton Close, Maldon.

They have been given two months’ notice to vacate the property by May 17 because their seriously ill landlady is selling it.

Former Plume School pupil Miss Tuke, 31, claims she explained her situation to Maldon District Council only to be told to remain at the property and wait to be evicted by bailiffs.

Miss Tuke claims that the council has told her that if she leaves the property of her own will, it would be considered that she has made herself homeless and no help would be offered.

Miss Tuke said: “I just don’t know which way to turn next."

A council spokesman said: “We offer advice to help people find alternative housing which may be privately rented and where a customer is at risk of homelessness we will work with them to identify their housing options and offer practical advice and support wherever possible.

“There is a high demand for social housing in the district and there are currently 1,299 applicants on the housing register seeking accommodation, hence the importance of preventing homelessness.”