CF's have been using my mums house as a hotel!!

[CustardCreamsfortea]

My dm died last year. Her house is currently empty and we're in the process of selling it (on the market but no buyer yet). The house next door is owned by a couple. I knew that DM was friendly with them, but (apart from first names) I don't really know them at all. I'll call them "Jean and John" for this

I went round yesterday to check on the property (we live about 45 mins away) and to do some gardening. When I entered the house I noticed immediately that there was a strong smell of cigarettes. Dm didn't smoke so I thought that was very strange.. 🤔

I went into the kitchen and there's dirty dishes in the sink!? My next thought was that squatters must have moved in. I went back to my car and called Dh and then 101 for advice. The police said they could come out but it would likely be a few hours (at least) before they turned up.

Dh arrived and went into have a look. Nobody appeared to be in the house. No obvious signs of a break in, though there's clothes and stuff everywhere. So we decide, ok fine - let's take this as a warning and get the locks changed before the squatters come back.

I called a locksmith and he's in the process of changing the locks. As he's doing this another neighbour from across the road (let's call her "Anne") comes over to ask what's happening. I explain that I think we've had squatters in the house.

Anne then proceeds to tell me that Jean and John (from next door) have currently got family visiting from abroad at the moment.

But it seems rather than pay for a hotel, The CF's been letting them stay in mothers house!!! 😡😡😡 Anne has seen them coming and going since they arrived on Friday. She didn't have our contact details to check with us, but assumed we'd given permission because they seemingly had a key. We had no idea that they had this key.

When the police eventually turned up we explained all this. They went round to speak to Jean and John but they weren't at home. Said they would try again later in the week. We've bagged up the relatives things and left them on their doorstep (I wanted to burn them but DH talked me out of it). 🙄

Will they police be able to charge them with trespassing or something similar? Or are we just going to have to accept that we were (admittedly) stupid for not changing the locks in the first place and move on? I'm beyond angry with them. 😡

This has got to be in the Top 5 CF actions ever on MN!!

Agreed! And that takes some doing!

Bloody hell

That's absolutely insane

They are unbelievable. I hope appropriate action is taken

They’ve used the utilities though like water, electricity - surely that is theft if not paid for, because you did not give permission. Have the police charge them with that.

People are insane!! I thought they be mortified and grovelling!

I suspect everyone in the street will soon know too. 😃

Cheeky fuckers though. Such a dirty trick to play.

Never a day goes by when people don’t amaze me with their entitledness.

They’ve stolen electricity, water, gas 😂 I’d be charging them OP! Send every bill since your DM passed away. This is top tier CF-ery.

You can’t just ‘have the police charge [someone] with [something]’ - that is not how the system works at all in this country. This isn’t a TV show.

It’s not up to the victim, and it’s not even up to the police - they investigate and if they think a crime has been committed, they have to make the case to the Crown Prosecution Service who will determine whether it is worthwhile prosecuting. Only if the CPS agrees can the police charge someone with a crime.

One of the factors the CPS considers is whether it is in the public interest to prosecute - is the seriousness of the offence above a certain threshold that justifies the large cost to the public purse of taking a prosecution through the courts. About £50 of gas and electricity simply does not meet that threshold.

Hope you’re ok OP! As people have said, wait for the police!

This goes beyond the cheeky fuckery and into sheer criminality.

Well, now it’s probably tipped into criminal damage while it wasn’t before.

County lines?

Will they be paying the gas electricity and water bills?

What horrible people

Tell the police that they stole your solid gold toilet.

Oh amazing, I love it when someone quotes the op.....

I'm sorry op this is horrible can't believe anyone would be this rude

That’s is absolutely shocking!

My neighbours died and their children kept their home on to use as a holiday house. They are only there rarely and we have a key for emergencies. In the winter we go round a few times to check heating is on etc and everything. We’ve had times when our house was busy and had to book extra family into an Airbnb but it would never have crossed my mind to let people stay at my neighbours house! Can’t believe they thought this was ok.

Sue them for an award of mesne profits

That's a disgrace, I hope the police turned up and actually do something

I hope you got it sorted and gave them a piece of your mind..

Update - We got here and John had kicked the front door in and they had gained entry to the house. He's destroyed the sofa, thrown paint everywhere and smashed a hole in the living room wall (among other damage). The police have arrested him (for breaking and entering and criminal damage). He was ranting and raving and proper off his rocker 🙄 his wife has gone back into their house and is refusing to answer the door (to the police or anyone else). Just waiting for the locksmith (again) to come and make the place secure.

You’d think it would still be breaking and entry since the old owner gave them keys not the new owner who had no idea they had them.

If I find an old house key try it and it works surely I’m still committing a crime even entering because I don’t have person from the owner.

Glad his been arrested wonder why they are so mad.