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Original poster

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

620 replies

CustardCreamsfortea · 15/04/2025 18:07

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. 😡

OP posts:
TheOrphanTree · 15/04/2025 23:50

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum.

This is so what you don't need after losing someone so important to you. I hope in Anne you've found someone who can help you have peace of mind whilst you get the house sorted.

Nanny0gg · 15/04/2025 23:53

ResultsMayVary · 15/04/2025 22:40

Yes, I'd be worried the smell of smoke would impact a sale

Show quote history

Least of their worries...

Nanny0gg · 15/04/2025 23:55

stayathomegardener · 15/04/2025 22:50

Just be a little careful how you proceed with this, last thing you want scuppering a sale is an ongoing neighbour dispute.

Could that be the neighbours aim to buy at a reduced price? I can’t see why they would do something so unhinged for no reason.

Too late for that too

Chungai · 15/04/2025 23:59

CustardCreamsfortea · 15/04/2025 22:05

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.

Jeez that's terrifying. How fucking dare he.

I'm glad they weren't in when you were there, it could have been ugly!

I really hope you are awarded and paid compensation, and am sorry you have to deal with this.

CymruChris · 16/04/2025 00:07

I'm so sorry this has happened OP, he sounds absolutely unhinged.
I'm also wondering if they are really relatives.
Also hoping Anne isn't at risk from him either

Isittimeformynapyet · 16/04/2025 00:20

BeeCucumber · 15/04/2025 23:31

😳

Have you farted love?

Sapienza · 16/04/2025 00:30

stayathomegardener · 15/04/2025 22:50

Just be a little careful how you proceed with this, last thing you want scuppering a sale is an ongoing neighbour dispute.

Could that be the neighbours aim to buy at a reduced price? I can’t see why they would do something so unhinged for no reason.

This.

The property will be almost impossible to sell with a dispute of this nature on the record. Potential buyers won't touch the property with a bargepole.

If 'John and Jean' wanted to buy the property, they could certainly get it now at a reduced price.

madeofmore · 16/04/2025 00:31

Hastentoadd · 15/04/2025 22:17

How on earth would the OP know at this stage why he behaved like that! What’s the point in even asking the question🤷‍♀️
Of course it makes no sense, it’s hardly normal behaviour

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Woah there -we are all thinking the same thing, just why would they do that? -so please go easy on other posters for writing their thoughts down!

dapsnotplimsolls · 16/04/2025 00:34

Blimey, that's quite some male entitlement right there! Or fury at losing money if they have been renting it out as an Airbnb.

WearyAuldWumman · 16/04/2025 00:53

@Sapienza I mentioned above the neighbour who got into a strop when he realised that he hadn't been left the house as he expected.

The solution in this case was that one of our relatives bought the house, so there was no problem with the declaration of a dispute.

Time40 · 16/04/2025 00:59

The property will be almost impossible to sell with a dispute of this nature on the record

Hmmm. I doubt this would count as a dispute. It's an isolated (so far) incident. A break-in. One break-in doesn't make a house impossible to sell.

StarTwirl · 16/04/2025 01:12

They have broken in because they were given the key by someone who is now dead.

they should have given the key back to you.

there is no longer any reason for them to have a key

you are now the owners

Id be going a bit bat shit at them tbh but probably just glad to have found out in time and able to change the locks

CF

you should send them an invoice for the utilities they’ve used

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/04/2025 01:20

So Billy Big Bollocks has been shown up to be a liar and a thief. And he doesnt like it, especially in front of other people who he was probably acting the big I AM to.

Pity his poor wife if he will do that the OPs mums house, I wonder what the hell he does to her behind closed doors.

ChewbaccasMrs · 16/04/2025 01:35

Flaming hell I'm so sorry OP he's off his bloody rocker.

I hope the Police and the courts charge him and his family with as much as they possibly can and I'm sorry about your Mum this is the last thing you needed whilst your grieving.

Boreded · 16/04/2025 01:37

CustardCreamsfortea · 15/04/2025 22:05

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.

Please keep updating us. Need to hear more about these arseholes and whether they are punished. Let’s hope they are charged and fined

Sapienza · 16/04/2025 01:40

Time40 · 16/04/2025 00:59

The property will be almost impossible to sell with a dispute of this nature on the record

Hmmm. I doubt this would count as a dispute. It's an isolated (so far) incident. A break-in. One break-in doesn't make a house impossible to sell.

Charges are likely to be brought against the neighbour. The police have had to call to the property on two occasions and there is a record of the dispute.

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/04/2025 01:42

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/04/2025 01:20

So Billy Big Bollocks has been shown up to be a liar and a thief. And he doesnt like it, especially in front of other people who he was probably acting the big I AM to.

Pity his poor wife if he will do that the OPs mums house, I wonder what the hell he does to her behind closed doors.

And further.....I wonder if the reason she wouldnt open the door was because she didnt want him to be charged with assault as well.....

LoobyLott · 16/04/2025 02:08

Time40 · 16/04/2025 00:59

The property will be almost impossible to sell with a dispute of this nature on the record

Hmmm. I doubt this would count as a dispute. It's an isolated (so far) incident. A break-in. One break-in doesn't make a house impossible to sell.

It's not a dispute. A dispute is an argument over boundaries / noise / where the fence fell down and who should pay for it to be fixed.

Breaking and entering and criminal damage is not and has never qualified as any kind of "dispute".

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/04/2025 02:25

LoobyLott · 16/04/2025 02:08

It's not a dispute. A dispute is an argument over boundaries / noise / where the fence fell down and who should pay for it to be fixed.

Breaking and entering and criminal damage is not and has never qualified as any kind of "dispute".

Show quote history

I agree. Its a criminal matter and not a civil one that needs to be declared.

A person broke in and caused criminal damage. That person has been arrested and (given that the police saw and presumably had body cam evidence of his behaviour) will be charged. The fact that he lived next door is coincidental.

Hedgingmybetching · 16/04/2025 02:27

Oh my God I can't believe what I'm reading, what the hell!? Hope they put the crazy bastard away.

dogsandcatsandhorses · 16/04/2025 02:41

Bloody hell that’s awful. Hope the police charge him and don’t just let him go with a caution.

EdithBond · 16/04/2025 02:45

Stravaig · 15/04/2025 22:19

@CustardCreamsfortea How horrendous for you both!

Please try and shield Anne's identity/involvement, as she has to continue living across the road, and these people sound genuinely dangerous.

Do check for a listing on Airbnb - the sheer entitlement of their outrage makes me wonder if a lucrative side hustle has been thwarted. Or perhaps some county lines activity, as pp also suggested. Either would be concrete nefarious activity to add the prosecutable list.

Yes, that was my thought. Especially if Anne lives alone, but even if she doesn’t, be very careful about telling the police about her involvement. Consider limiting your statement to you came to check on the house, found the stuff, assumed it was the NDNs and left it on their doorstep.

This man is clearly capable of violence and feels entitled. He could make Anne’s life absolute hell, or put her home or safety at risk, when she’s tried to help you.

I wonder if he’s abusive/violent to his wife and it’s why she wouldn’t open the door.

I’d try to get other neighbours onside to help you keep an eye on the place (rather than just Anne) until it’s sold. Anne may decide to keep out of it after this. This incident won’t help the sale. You’ll likely have to disclose it.

PyongyangKipperbang · 16/04/2025 03:01

EdithBond · 16/04/2025 02:45

Yes, that was my thought. Especially if Anne lives alone, but even if she doesn’t, be very careful about telling the police about her involvement. Consider limiting your statement to you came to check on the house, found the stuff, assumed it was the NDNs and left it on their doorstep.

This man is clearly capable of violence and feels entitled. He could make Anne’s life absolute hell, or put her home or safety at risk, when she’s tried to help you.

I wonder if he’s abusive/violent to his wife and it’s why she wouldn’t open the door.

I’d try to get other neighbours onside to help you keep an eye on the place (rather than just Anne) until it’s sold. Anne may decide to keep out of it after this. This incident won’t help the sale. You’ll likely have to disclose it.

Show quote history

Hadnt actually thought about Anne, but it is a very good point. This man sounds utterly unhinged and her safety must be paramount.

Thisisittheapocalypse · 16/04/2025 03:36

Unbelievable! What a nutjob! He sounds completely unhinged!

Fraaances · 16/04/2025 03:40

I wonder if you can find it advertised on Airbnb, etc.... They may have been charging money for this.