A MAN left paralysed after a car crash fears his family could become homeless as new landlords plan to sell the property to pay a million-pound tax bill.

Harvey Cowe, 60, is quadriplegic and has only recently managed to get out of his bed and into a wheelchair.

His wife Sheree, 54, who is also his carer, fears bailiffs will be forced to wheel him "into the street" if they can't find a new home in 42 days.

Harvey was paralysed in all four limbs after suffering an incurable spinal cord injury in the crash in 1984.

The couple, who have a son Keswick, 16, have lived in their heavily modified home in Brittany Road, Hove, for 25 years, spending £200,000 on adaptations to accommodate Harvey's condition.

Now they face being evicted as their new landlords plan to sell the property to pay a £1.4 million tax bill inherited when their father, the original owner, died.

The Argus: Harvey and Sheree outside their home in HoveHarvey and Sheree outside their home in Hove

Mrs Cowe said it had proved impossible to find suitable privately rented accommodation with the same adaptations so she pleaded with the city council to buy the property - but it was too expensive.

She told The Argus: "We got help from the council to make all the adaptations and we've lived here really happily. We've had a great place to live and great support.

"We were assured by the landlords' kids that we weren't going to be kicked out.

"The kids have had to pay quite a lot of tax because they have inherited quite a lot of properties and they've decided to sell this property we are in to pay the bill.

"Now they're saying they can send the bailiffs in once the 48-day eviction is up and I've got this vision of them pushing his [Harvey's] bed out into the street with all of his machines attached to it.

"Harvey is just starting to get out of bed after being bed-bound for two years. It has been a difficult time."

For more than two decades the family have built up a dependable network of friends and neighbours who have provided "immeasurable help" during the pandemic.

Despite pleas to halt the eviction and assurances from the previous owner that the lease would continue, co-landlord Dean Lashmore said they "have no choice" but to sell the home, which is worth £800,000.

"If they don't leave very soon I will be going to prison because we owe a hell of a lot of money to my Dad's tax," he said.

"We don't have a choice, that is where we are at, unfortunately.

"We have been kind enough to rent to them for a very long time and they have had it very well. Unfortunately, we are not in a position any more to be able to support them, so we have to move on."

With Brighton and Hove City Council ruling out buying the home, the Cowes are now looking for eight investors, each paying £100,000, to save them before March 30.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “We have been approached by Harvey and Sheree and we are currently looking at options appropriate to their needs.

“We will continue to work with and support the family until their current housing situation is resolved.”