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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:
Strictlymad · 16/04/2025 07:56

What on earth! What is wrong with these people! Make sure you press charges and get payment for the damage

Stepfordian · 16/04/2025 07:58

I guarantee you he’ll be telling the police he had permission to let his family stay there, probably that she wanted him to have the house etc. people like this have no shame.

OneWildBiscuit · 16/04/2025 07:59

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.

OMG...I can't believe the utter audacity of the man. Absolutely gobsmacked!

Can you sue for damages?

POBCOB · 16/04/2025 08:05

Is this for real!! 😦 sounds unbelievable but hope it calms down as you’ll have to disclose when the house is sold re disputes with neighbours.

jeaux90 · 16/04/2025 08:06

His is like the Mexican house thief story but with violence and grief mixed in. Bloody terrible!!

Pancakeflipper · 16/04/2025 08:11

What did he say to you when you turned up?

Sameoldsameoldsame · 16/04/2025 08:14

What did the police say @CustardCreamsfortea ?

Surely having dumped items in your house without permission it's classed as rubbish?

What awful neighbours. Feel sorry for the new owners.

Sameoldsameoldsame · 16/04/2025 08:21

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.

What's he mad at exactly?

The property isn't his. He has no right of access. You bagged up and returned the items left at the property. He's had rent free holiday accommodation fir his relatives, including services and he's angry at what exactly.

He's rightly been arrested. Can you make a claim for damage against him. Also costs.

What do the police say?

Watermill · 16/04/2025 08:23

I suspect John the Nutter has been listing the house on Airbnb or similar. It’s very odd that he was so keen to get back in. I wonder if you missed anything else amiss?

That or he’s just a regular drink/drugs enraged wanker. Did the police not insist Jean speak to them?

Stay safe.

murasaki · 16/04/2025 08:28

I suspect John is one of those men who loses it when he thinks he's been disrespected or his image is under attack. He's now lost face in front of his family and the whole street. Jean might well be on the receiving end of that when he gets out.

MoveOnTheCards · 16/04/2025 08:30

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this batshittery @CustardCreamsfortea

Did the belongings you removed look like standard ‘guest’ bits? If not I would check the loft as a pp has suggested as his actions to get back in (and reaction inside) were clearly OTT for someone who was just intending to let family crash there for a few days.

BMW6 · 16/04/2025 08:36

WTF!!!!!!!!!!

I have never heard of such outrageous behaviour by a neighbour.

What on earth happened to the people who had been staying there? I wonder if they knew the situation?

Projectme · 16/04/2025 08:42

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.

Er...what. the. fuck.
What a hideous shit show this has become! John sounds a charmer. Hope a night in the cells as cooled his tits a bit.

justasking111 · 16/04/2025 08:43

I'm so sorry 😔

myplace · 16/04/2025 08:43

That’s awful. And completely unreasonable hassle for you going forward. I’m sorry.

B1anche · 16/04/2025 08:48

justasking111 · 16/04/2025 08:43

I'm so sorry 😔

Why? Are you the neighbour?

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 16/04/2025 09:07

I have never read something so outrageous on Mumsnet. I’m shocked and hope you get this sorted.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 16/04/2025 09:14

That is dreadful. But at least now it's a 'proper' crime, with smashing the door down and causing damage - something that they can actually be prosecuted for, rather than the civil action you'd have to take out otherwise. And they can't deny that it was anything to do with them!

Not that this is any consolation to you, of course.

VelvetUndergrounds · 16/04/2025 09:23

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.

What the hell?! What on earth is their justification for doing this? I can’t believe what I’ve just read! 🤯

JohnofWessex · 16/04/2025 09:36

Do the neighbours own the house or are they tenants?

The Land Registry will tell you for £3.50 or so

If they are tenants and its 'social' housing then the landlord should take action against them

BruceAndNosh · 16/04/2025 09:37

I originally had a bit of sympathy for the possibility "innocent" relatives /airbnb guest until I thought that if they are happy to smoke indoors in a rented /loaned property, they are CFs too

Ohthatsabitshit · 16/04/2025 09:41

I desperately want to know what on earth the neighbours thought they were doing??? Could guests passports be in the house? Could a wallet or medicine have been missed in @CustardCreamsfortea s clear out? What on earth???!!!

TeapotCollection · 16/04/2025 09:49

^ I agree with Stepfordian unfortunately

This really is shocking

suburburban · 16/04/2025 09:49

BruceAndNosh · 16/04/2025 09:37

I originally had a bit of sympathy for the possibility "innocent" relatives /airbnb guest until I thought that if they are happy to smoke indoors in a rented /loaned property, they are CFs too

Yea that is awful and the not cleaning up

shows What unpleasant people neighbours are

Tistheseason17 · 16/04/2025 09:53

I'd be hoping they are renting - so you can speak to landlords and dispute is not with owners. But if they do own the house, I'd be taking civil action to recover any losses if I had to take a reduced value for the house sale because of their actions. Speak to home insurers legal helpline.
He can be prosecuted for burglary (theft is not necessary), vandalism, and criminal damage, and I hope they throw the book at him. Quite likely with his excessive reaction, this is not his first rodeo!

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