West Wemyss Mass Eviction Causes Uproar

As of late January, seventeen tenants in the small Fife villages of West Wemyss and Denbeath face forthcoming eviction after their new landlord, Torah Capital, announced they were selling the properties they had bought in September 2025. 

Some tenants have been given an eviction deadline of 22 March, while others have been told to move out by July. This recent development has caused backlash within this community, who are currently pursuing legal action in coordination with Fife Council and the Scottish Government.  

Among those who have been sent recent eviction orders are tenants who have lived in their properties for up to 40 years. Ann Cation, 72, a retired headteacher, is among these long-term residents. According to BBC News Scotland, Cation “loved the house she has been renting” and was baffled to have received a hand-delivered letter saying [her] property had been sold. 

Cation’s husband Brian Cation, 74, a retired school technician, said, “[W]e feel absolutely devastated […] [and] bitter to be evicted from our house, especially at our age. We thought this would be our forever home.”

Richard Baker, MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife, has been responsive to the outcry of these tenants. On 24 January, he chaired a general public meeting in Coaltown of Wemyss. As reported by Fife Today, Baker claimed, “[O]ne of the most worrying aspects of the recent Torah sale — other than the immediate need to fight eviction notices handed to seventeen households — is the fact that it illustrates only too well that current legislation doesn’t provide the best protection for vulnerable tenants.” 

With regard to the registered address of Torah Capital being located in London, Baker commented, “[W]e’re in a housing emergency, yet there’s little to stop a wealthy landowner or private landlord with an extensive portfolio from deciding to offload housing stock in bulk in the future. We could be dealing with a similar situation again within months, or years. That needs to be addressed.” 

Fife Today reports that Baker said he will raise the issue in the House of Commons with the Prime Minister “at the first opportunity possible” and work with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament “to support strengthening legislation in Scotland.” 

Mairi McAllan, Scotland’s Housing Minister, attended a meeting with MSP David Torrance of Kirkcaldy and assured West Wemyss tenants that they have her support. As reported by The Courier, Mairi McAllan confirmed: “I understand this will be an incredibly anxious time for residents […] [T]he Scottish Government stands ready to discuss proposals for support with Fife Council, with whom we are continuing to engage.”

Currently, Fife Council is looking into bringing the houses into public ownership. According to BBC News Scotland, John Mills, Fife Council's head of housing, has confirmed that he has requested a meeting with Torah Capital before the planned evictions between March and July. 

“I spoke with affected tenants […] and I have assured them that the council will do everything within our legal powers to help them remain in their homes and prevent homelessness,” Mills said. “I have asked for an urgent meeting with Torah Capital and I am awaiting their response.”

Image Courtesy of The Courier