Page 27 | What is she up to?

DontVisitCabotCove · 2024-02-25T16:18:46+00:00

DB, his partner “Jane” & her 2 kids have been staying with me - in my house - after the house they were buying fell through. They had been looking at other properties to buy but have since decided to end their relationship so that’s no longer happening. Yesterday while my DB and I were out and unbeknownst to me, Jane had an estate agent over to value my house & as he was leaving he told her he’d send her an email with the valuation & they were talking about viewings etc. Today Jane asked me to give her a letter stating that my brother is living here but wouldn’t tell me why she wanted it & was really unhappy when I said I’d give her a letter saying they were both temporarily staying with me as that’s the actual truth. What on earth could she be up to? I’m honestly baffled! Should I tell her that I know about the valuation? Should I tell my DB about all of this? On one hand I don’t want to get involved in their troubles or make things worse (things are bad enough between them already) but on the other hand I feel I’m being drawn into it as it’s my bloody house she had valued!

IcyBird · 27/02/2024 09:48

I would seriously question her mental state and be worried what else she is up to. I might have watched too many documentaries but she might have made a fake will/life insurance or intend to take up squatters rights. I do know a guy who had that happen with his own sister and her partner. They took his house from him although he foolishly gave his sister and partner 30% shares each which then took away his majority rights! I've had an ex partner try to persuade me to change my will so he could stay in my house if I died - he was swiftly kicked out. It felt like I would be signing my own death warrant. Had too much shit from people over the years that I take a dim view of any signs of invading your life like that. Whatever her motives - secretly getting a valuation done on your property is a major red flag for her morals and I would be booting her out pronto. I really hope this is sorted for you soon. Noone needs this kind of worry.

Shinyandnew1 · 27/02/2024 09:57

Did your brother seem surprised when you told him that his ex had done this? Presumably he is splitting up with her because he doesn’t like her any more but did he have any inkling that she would do this sort of thing? Did he have concerns about her mental state?

diddl · 27/02/2024 10:02

I think it’s possible that someone could just say – oh sure, come in and I’ll show you round, OP’s not in.

But should an EA accept that scenario?

I would definitely have given OP a quick ring to check it was all above board.

Well yes.

To me Jane's plausible deniability falls down because supposedly Op had the wherewithal to contact the EA & explain Jane would show them around.

But not to tell Jane??

Channellingsophistication · 27/02/2024 10:03

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain yes gaslighting the OP claiming brain fog is so low. Good idea to get the locks changed
OP hope you can do this. She may well have taken a copy of the key.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2024 10:09

Channellingsophistication · 27/02/2024 10:03

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain yes gaslighting the OP claiming brain fog is so low. Good idea to get the locks changed
OP hope you can do this. She may well have taken a copy of the key.

Very low. Expense etc for OP though is as I said, just what she doesn't need. Nor to be getting LR alerts etc either.

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 10:10

@diddl

But should an EA accept that scenario?

I think it’s understandable they did, given the ‘owner’ had already told them to expect someone else there. I think it would be unusual for them to ask for the customer’s ID before they enter into the customer’s home. I’ve been house sitting before and the gardener’s turned up – the owner has let him know someone else will be there. Of course he hasn’t started asking me questions about what I’m doing there!

I believe the EA then asked for ID before forwarding on the formal valuation.

hummmmm · 27/02/2024 10:14

Given that it was supposedly OP that was dealing with the estate agent, surely they can do a subject access request to see the information the estate agent holds about them. That would include the phone number and email address.

diddl · 27/02/2024 10:15

But should an EA accept that scenario?

I think it’s understandable they did, given the ‘owner’ had already told them to expect someone else there.

Sorry-for some reason I was thinking if they hadn't been told presumably they wouldn't go in?

If it was looked into though it would be shown that Op hadn't phoned the EA at all wouldn't it?

starfishmummy · 27/02/2024 10:23

Notforbeef · 27/02/2024 09:12

Jesus, read the thread. Jane has gone.

Show quote history

Where has OP confirmed that Jane has gone?

She has said in an early post that

"I’ve spoken to my DB, sent him the footage and he’s going to deal with her so she won’t be coming back; the kids are currently with their dad anyway so all good on that front. DB will pack up their stuff and move it out and I’ll get the locks changed tomorrow too."

So the DB planned to do it, but has it actually happened?

Barney60 · 27/02/2024 10:29

Mumofteenandtween · 25/02/2024 16:30

It seems obvious to me - she wants to be able today “Fred is adequately housed in a house worth £XXX. Therefore I should get most / all our joint assets to house me and the children.”

I also think this.

BoogieBoogieWoogie · 27/02/2024 10:31

Hhhmmm....if there's doorbell footage of the EA leaving then there's surely doorbell footage of the EA arriving which could help clear up a lot of this thread's pearl clutching

😒

BusyMummy001 · 27/02/2024 10:49

Barney60 · 27/02/2024 10:29

Mumofteenandtween · 25/02/2024 16:30

It seems obvious to me - she wants to be able today “Fred is adequately housed in a house worth £XXX. Therefore I should get most / all our joint assets to house me and the children.”

I also think this.

Why? They did not own a previous property together (it states the purchase of their first joint property fell through, hence OP put them up), they are not married and are no longer ‘together’ anyway now, and the children (who were with their father this last weekend) are not his? They have no joint assets as and she has no claim on anything of his. His housing status is an irrelevance to her financial position.

The only plausible explanation is the intention to commit fraud.

libbylane · 27/02/2024 10:54

I'd give no letter and ask her to leave. I'd also make sure she hasn't taken any paperwork. Any chance your brother owns some of the house? I'd have her leave pronto.

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 10:57

BoogieBoogieWoogie · 27/02/2024 10:31

Hhhmmm....if there's doorbell footage of the EA leaving then there's surely doorbell footage of the EA arriving which could help clear up a lot of this thread's pearl clutching

😒

??

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 10:58

BusyMummy001 · 27/02/2024 10:49

Why? They did not own a previous property together (it states the purchase of their first joint property fell through, hence OP put them up), they are not married and are no longer ‘together’ anyway now, and the children (who were with their father this last weekend) are not his? They have no joint assets as and she has no claim on anything of his. His housing status is an irrelevance to her financial position.

The only plausible explanation is the intention to commit fraud.

Show quote history

But she could just be ill informed or clutching at straws

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 11:01

diddl · 27/02/2024 10:15

But should an EA accept that scenario?

I think it’s understandable they did, given the ‘owner’ had already told them to expect someone else there.

Sorry-for some reason I was thinking if they hadn't been told presumably they wouldn't go in?

If it was looked into though it would be shown that Op hadn't phoned the EA at all wouldn't it?

Yes, by the sounds of it the EA wasn’t prepared to share data with the OP provided by the original enquirer

A few posters have suggested a SAR, possibly followed by calling the number anonymously

Lazydomestic · 27/02/2024 11:02

Most logical explanation is that she needs a guarantor to rent. Jane comes up with OP name and has been told that she needs proof of income / assets as well as signature. OP has said all financial details are well locked away - house valuation would give proof of assets…. Jane Set up new email address, & signs guarantor letter electronically & she satisfies conditions of the lease
But for being outed now if she payed rent on time - OP would never have known

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 11:06

Lazydomestic · 27/02/2024 11:02

Most logical explanation is that she needs a guarantor to rent. Jane comes up with OP name and has been told that she needs proof of income / assets as well as signature. OP has said all financial details are well locked away - house valuation would give proof of assets…. Jane Set up new email address, & signs guarantor letter electronically & she satisfies conditions of the lease
But for being outed now if she payed rent on time - OP would never have known

Edited

This does make sense, except for – why does she need a letter saying her ex is housed at the same address?

Wheresthebeach · 27/02/2024 11:14

Lazydomestic · 27/02/2024 11:02

Most logical explanation is that she needs a guarantor to rent. Jane comes up with OP name and has been told that she needs proof of income / assets as well as signature. OP has said all financial details are well locked away - house valuation would give proof of assets…. Jane Set up new email address, & signs guarantor letter electronically & she satisfies conditions of the lease
But for being outed now if she payed rent on time - OP would never have known

Edited

This makes sense. Much more likely than some attempt to gain control of the house. The letter she asked for would have a signature which she could scan/copy etc.

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 11:19

Wheresthebeach · 27/02/2024 11:14

This makes sense. Much more likely than some attempt to gain control of the house. The letter she asked for would have a signature which she could scan/copy etc.

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But OP offered to write the letter with different details – saying DB had been there temporarily with Jane – and Jane wasn’t happy with this.

If she just needed the signature she’d have just said – yes, great thanks.

RedToothBrush · 27/02/2024 11:20

Lazydomestic · 27/02/2024 11:02

Most logical explanation is that she needs a guarantor to rent. Jane comes up with OP name and has been told that she needs proof of income / assets as well as signature. OP has said all financial details are well locked away - house valuation would give proof of assets…. Jane Set up new email address, & signs guarantor letter electronically & she satisfies conditions of the lease
But for being outed now if she payed rent on time - OP would never have known

Edited

All explanations lead to defrauding the OP and exposing her to financial loss. It doesn't ultimately matter how.

The second you impersonate someone you have criminal intent.

The rest doesn't really matter in practice.

Wheresthebeach · 27/02/2024 11:25

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 11:19

But OP offered to write the letter with different details – saying DB had been there temporarily with Jane – and Jane wasn’t happy with this.

If she just needed the signature she’d have just said – yes, great thanks.

Show quote history

Oh yeah...that's a fair point.

Craybourne · 27/02/2024 11:26

RedToothBrush · 27/02/2024 11:20

All explanations lead to defrauding the OP and exposing her to financial loss. It doesn't ultimately matter how.

The second you impersonate someone you have criminal intent.

The rest doesn't really matter in practice.

Show quote history

I’d feel otherwise if it was me!

Needing a guarantor I’d have more sympathy with than trying to sell OP’s house behind her and DB’s backs! (Just a couple of the suggestions on here.)

And it will also influence how seriously the police take it. So far they have not shown all that much interest.

Also helps OP decide what further action she might need to take and what to look out for. It’s assessing what level of threat Jane poses, and to whom.

If you mean impersonating her even ‘just’ for guarantor purposes is still bad, I agree.

madeinmanc · 27/02/2024 11:28

The second you impersonate someone you have criminal intent.

Thanks for highlighting this, it's for this reason I was worried about the OP's personal safety. If there is criminal intent who knows where the boundaries lie? Who knows what they will do?

12345mummy · 27/02/2024 11:44

Not sure the EA will release the required info under an SAR as it’s classed as ‘personal’ info. Even though the girlfriend pretended to be the OP I don’t think the EA will give this info out and ultimately it sounds like they don’t want to be involved further.
OP - I’d be tempted to call social services regarding the children - this woman sounds like a regular scammer and it could be part of a bigger picture.