Households in the coastal communities of West Wemyss and Denbeath are facing the prospect of losing their homes after receiving eviction notices from their new landlord, Torah Capital. Many of those affected have lived in their properties for decades, with some families renting their homes for more than 40 years.

The situation escalated after Wemyss Estate sold around 30 properties to the London‑based investment firm in September. Within months, at least 35 households were told they must leave, some by 22 March, others by July, prompting widespread concern and a rapid political response.

At a packed public meeting on Saturday, Fife Council’s head of housing services, John Mills, confirmed the authority is actively examining ways to bring up to 30 of the affected homes into public ownership. He said external legal support, including a junior KC, has been appointed to assess the council’s options.

Mills stressed that preventing homelessness is the council’s priority.

“Our first priority is to do everything we can to prevent these long‑standing Wemyss Estate tenants from becoming homeless and help them remain in their homes,” he said.

“We are looking into all the legal options open to us, including potential action through the Housing and Property First Tier Tribunal.”

He added that discussions have now begun with Torah Capital’s selling agents.

Seventeen households have already indicated they will challenge the evictions through a mass tribunal, arguing that the notices are unreasonable and destabilising.

Richard Baker MP, who hosted Saturday’s meeting in Coaltown of Wemyss village hall, said he intends to raise the issue in the House of Commons.

“If these evictions go ahead in the midst of a housing crisis it will rip the heart out of these communities for profit,” he warned. “But we won’t take this lying down.”