RED Cross House bosses have caused outrage after putting the former homes of its vulnerable residents up for private let - more than a week BEFORE the facility officially closes.

The Options for Independence centre in Irvine announced in November it would close its doors for good unless a buyer was found by this Friday, April 15 - leaving its 21 residents homeless and 77 staff unemployed.

Staff have been issued their redundancy notices already and most of the residents have been moved into nursing homes or alternative accommodation ahead of this Friday’s deadline.

Irvine Times:

But the Times can exclusively reveal that charity bosses are already advertising to find new tenants for the self contained flats within the Tarryholme Drive complex which were formerly the homes of some of its most vulnerable and disabled residents.

The properties are advertising for ‘property guardians’ who are in full time or part time employment to rent the properties for a bargain fee of £200 per month - which includes all water, gas, electricity and rates.

Property Guardians Schemes are popular for anyone looking for short term rentals and offer the home owners a more hassle free way of renting out their property because contracts are short term with usually only a two-week notice period.

There are several UK firms running guardian schemes, looking after empty houses and commercial premises on behalf of owners.

Firms tend to recruit individuals who want a flexible lifestyle unsuited to conventional home ownership or renting.

Irvine Times:

But the move has angered former staff members who have blasted Red Cross chiefs for being “insensitive”.

One former staff member told the Times: “I saw this advert and couldn’t believe it. It’s so insensitive.

"These vulnerable people have lost their homes and everything they have known for years and before the place hasn’t even closed they are already advertising for new tennants. It’s absolutely disgraceful.”

But Red Cross today defended its decision to advertise the properties before the closing date, saying the property guardians were simply an “interim measure".

A spokesperson for the British Red Cross said: "Last November the British Red Cross made the decision to close the residential facility in Irvine. Since that time our senior management team and staff at the facility have put in a huge amount of work to find someone to take over the centre and support residents while statutory authorities find alternative accommodation.

"Unfortunately to date the facility has not been sold and all residents have now either moved or are about to move into alternative accommodation.

“These decisions are not taken lightly and we have and are continuing to do all we can to support residents through this transition.

“The closure of this facility will formally take place on 15 April when the facility deregisters with the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. After this it will no longer operate as a residential social care provider.

“The British Red Cross is continuing to search for a buyer for this property and we are not looking for tenants for the properties within this facility.

“However, as the facility is set to be vacated by the 15 April we have put in place some interim measures to keep the property safe and secure. As part of this we have identified a company to protect the property while it is vacant. They use guardians, who reside in the property on a temporary basis to act as caretakers.

“The company is now advertising for temporary guardians, who will keep the property secure until it has been sold to a new owner. We felt that this was the most appropriate way to keep the facility in the best condition for any future buyer.

“We continue to remain committed to finding a buyer.”