Couple suing States let 'uninhabitable' house to others

A COUPLE claiming they were forced to move from their house because of the airport runway refurbishment project tried to rent it to another family, it has emerged.

Ian and Catherine Burnie are suing the States and Lagan Construction Ltd for more than £200,000 for loss of amenity, enjoyment and use of their land. The total includes £118,000 for renting alternative temporary accommodation.

The Burnies say work at the airport left them with no choice but to move out of Vue de l'Eglise, Rue de l'Eglise, Forest, on 31 August last year – the same day they had arranged for Richard and Jaime Lloyd to move in.

Mr and Mrs Lloyd claim the house was uninhabitable and have tabled an action in the Petty Debts Court to recover their £3,000 deposit.

The Burnies are countering this with a £29,000 claim for unpaid rent.