Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Second home owner

208 replies

silversun · 12/04/2020 10:19

Gorgeous weather here in Devon and yesterday morning the second home owners across the road turned up.
I've reported them to the police via email 101 but I'm still so angry that they have put our small hamlet of mainly over 60's at risk just because they fancied a change of scenery- they should be ashamed of themselves!
Please talk me down from going over there this morning😡😡

OP posts:
starfro · 12/04/2020 19:52

Can't believe the bile and hatred here toward other people.

Our neighbours are second home owners, and they came back at the start of the lockdown to their house next to us. As they are older we asked if there was anything we could help them with, supermarket shopping, picking up medicine etc.

OP should be thinking about how to help neighbours, especially in these tough times, not calling the police. It's absolutely disgusting behaviour and just shows how much jealousy and bitterness some people carry around with them.

Rezie · 12/04/2020 19:55

We had a big discussion about going to second homes when they are in the same area as permanent residence. Like if you have a city centre flat and then a second home outside the city, but still within the same hospital area if that would be ok. The opinions were divided.

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 12/04/2020 19:59

Maybe they have brought a big shop with them and are planning on staying home or just exercising once a day and social distancing? If so I don’t see how they pose a risk. Why do people who live in villages/on the coast assume that everyone who comes to their second home is carrying covid germs? They own the house and pay all the taxes that go with it - it is their home. Yes they may have two homes (I suspect this is the real problem) but it is their home.

We have a second home and haven’t gone there as I don’t want to be stuck in a place with limited local shops and hospital spaces, it’s bad enough when the shops are open. That’s our choice. We are lucky enough that our main home is in a nice suburban area with plenty of green spaces around. Others aren’t so lucky.

You do sound bitter OP. There’s so much hate for second home owners on here atm - the threats or arson and violence from locals is really disturbing and shows the small-minded mentality in some of these places. I hope if you go over there they tell you to fuck off. Also I doubt the police will do anything. They own the house - they’re not holiday makers and as others have pointed out - when our own PM has knobbed off to his holiday home they can’t very well fine people for going to their own house.

Darkstar4855 · 12/04/2020 20:00

@DollyDoneMore it’s not just spreading the virus, it’s that more people in rural areas with small hospitals means less resources to go around.

goldfinchfan · 12/04/2020 20:05

Second Home owners have destroyed the community in many places.
House prices are too high , locals have to leave. Adult sons and daughters have to move away nd cannot look after their parents.

There are many reasons why Second Home Owners are not liked.

I live in a village and we have too see some of the loveliest homes remain empty nearly all year.

Covid has reached our village now and the nearest hospital is 30 miles away.

So what if you own that second home?

Thefaceofboe · 12/04/2020 20:13

We had second home owners arrive in our village last week. My partner asked why they had travelled here and they said there daughter is a nurse and he is very vulnerable with lots of health problems. So it was either they leave the house, or their daughter did. It won’t be like that for everyone I’m sure, but try not to get too angry without knowing the circumstances.

shamelesschocaholic · 12/04/2020 20:19

I grew up in Devon and now live in London. The locals where I lived absolutely hated "the townies" and this for some is a wonderful excuse to have a go and vent their frustration (they increase house prices ya know). Happy to take the money they spend when they visit though!

alloutoffucks · 12/04/2020 20:27

OP put an anonymous note through their door explaining why they should not have travelled to heir second home and that they should not be buying any food locally.
You will get a lot of comments about you being bitter and jealous. Ignore them. They are from second home owners who have travelled to their second home.
Of course these people are putting you at risk. There are higher rates of infections in cities.

Itwasntme1 · 12/04/2020 20:29

My cousin has gone to her second home, her wife works in the city and travels there at the weekends.

They know they are breaking the rules, but they have an arrogance that they can talk their way out of it if they are stopped by the police.

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 12/04/2020 20:32

OP put an anonymous note through their door explaining why they should not have travelled to heir second home and that they should not be buying any food locally

That is really sinister and could come across like a threat. I would rather you came to the door personally, rather than post a note like a coward.

Why do you think these people are going to care what their neighbour thinks? if they cared so much they wouldn’t have gone in the first place.

alloutoffucks · 12/04/2020 20:34

@ShesGotBetteDavisEyes You cant go to the door and maintain social distancing. I would want them to know they are not welcome.

CoffeeRunner · 12/04/2020 20:35

My MP (not Boris) is also said to be isolating in his second home in rural Wales.

It is harder to emphasise the importance of staying home when those who are supposed to set the example can’t be bothered.

RapunzelinQuarantine · 12/04/2020 20:37

I’d go over there and give them a piece of my mind.

You’d really break the law and endanger yourself and others to have a go at a total stranger who’s situation you know nothing about?

Maybe their house burnt down. You know nothing of these people.

Boredbumhead · 12/04/2020 20:40

OP put an anonymous note through their door explaining why they should not have travelled to heir second home and that they should not be buying any food locally

Please do not do this. It's really fucking nasty.

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 12/04/2020 20:46

I would want them to know they are not welcome

You know what, why not just get an angry mob with pitchforks and torches and go and put the frighteners on - they’ll drive off in terror and you’ll be satisfied and won’t have to sit there stewing in your own juices.

Or you could just get on with your life and let them get on with theirs - after all there is an absolutely minuscule chance that them being there, in their HOME, will make any difference to anyone.

Dreamersandwishers · 12/04/2020 20:47

I have a question, because I really don’t understand... some PPs have stated that facilities locally are based on permanent residents. But are the second home owners not listed as council tax payers? Other than school rolls, do the authorities know who is/ is not permanent?
Genuine question.

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 12/04/2020 20:49

dreamersandwishers

No, we have to pay same taxes as everyone else - for services we don’t often use.

Dreamersandwishers · 12/04/2020 20:54

Thanks, @shesgotbettedaviseyes (great song). That makes sense. So the issue is potential transport of the virus.

CoffeeRunner · 12/04/2020 20:57

Also, as a one time second home owner, I would also point out that the advice is to stay at home.

And second home owners are still at home. As others have said, they still pay into the local economy as much as anyone does.

I completely & utterly understand egg caravan parks & the like need to be closed. As they bring an additional population in to the area. But people legally owning brick & mortar houses? Why are they not entitled to isolate in their own homes?

Travelling between is of course stupid.

HarrietTheShy · 12/04/2020 20:57

YANBU, OP, but you've reported them to the authorities and there's nothing else you can do beyond that.

BogRollBOGOF · 12/04/2020 21:08

YANBU.

Moving to a second home prior to lockdown-not breaking rules.
Moving during lockdown, highly likely to be breaking rules.

Rural populations don't need the additional pressure on resources including access to healthcare and food sources.

I accept the Prime Minister convalescing at his state owned country retreat and the Royal family decamping outside London as the reality of society is that some people are more local than others and that in the event of an emergency, they'd be whisked off to specialist treatment in London, not hanging around the local hospital.

Report it. Don't engage. Don't waste your mental energy on it.

Hairyfairy01 · 12/04/2020 21:16

I'm quite shocked that people are defending them to be honest. You are not allowed to 'non essential' travel for starters. A lot of second homes are in rural areas where the hospitals simply don't have the same facilities as larger city hospitals. Our local rural hospital had 13 ICU beds and 7 ventilators (I like to think they have more now but still nowhere near the numbers of big city hospitals). People will also not be registered to the local GP. If they need admitting to hospital this makes getting their medical notes more time consuming etc. Many second homes are in areas with a higher than average percentage of elderly residents who's risks are much higher. Ultimately though, such behaviour is encouraging the spread of the virus. It pretty selfish behaviour. Boris and various MP's have set an awful example here though. It may get to the point where doctors are having to decide whether to put a local person on the last available ventilator or an equivalent person, but from out of area. Something to think about.

cologne4711 · 12/04/2020 21:22

Did you see the number of caravans on the road? Shocking

Did you see all the photos taken of empty motorways?

I don't doubt that there were a few idiots trying to sneak to their second homes for Easter but the vast majority didn't and the evidence proves it.

cologne4711 · 12/04/2020 21:26

For example: twitter.com/jopavey/status/1249420947662266368

(and there are plenty more, including the M3 that leads to the A303 and the M5)

Saz12 · 12/04/2020 21:26

What if city hospitals were full, completely overwhelmed... but hospitals where your second home was were OK? Would it be OK to go then? Assume you bring all food, social distance, don’t stop for a pee/petrol en route.

Second home ownership causes huge social damage. Owners do not “pay in” enough to the local community, but more importantly it’s not all about the money!
Anyone who can’t see the social harm it causes must be deliberately obtuse.

How about “who thinks we should have a fancy deli. Who thinks we need cheaper co-op?”

But... how can anyone complain about house prices in Cornwall to people who live in London??!!! Even as a multiple of average local salary it’s a silly argument!