My grandparents are being bullied out of there leeshold property, any advice?

kay_fin · 17 April 2007 at 6:19PM

My grandparents live on a mobile homes sight, and have done for about 25 years along with about 40 other people. A lot of the homes have extensions etc. The leasehold is indefinite on the property. About 2 months ago the land was sold to a man who at first told everyone that they would not be asked to move (not that he could ask them because of the length of the lease), he would wait for them basically to pop their clogs (its an old peoples sight, no kids pets aloud etc). He then started saying "how would you like to live with travelers" and that he was going to move all his family and friends onto the sight. Since then there have been three homes completely burnt out and today another one was burnt out whilst a couple was on holiday. It has been traced to the owner by the police. (it will be on local news tonight, maybe national but not sure) No one seems to be able to do anything about it. They can’t sell as they think he wont let them (can he do this?) Everyone is just moving out this month as they are all so scared. The council has offered them sheltered accommodation for the night. Is there nothing that can be done about this, it seems like he is just getting his way by been a violent bully. I’m so angry. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated on this matter.

silvercar · 17 April 2007 at 6:34PM

Since then there have been three homes completely burnt out and today another one was burnt out whilst a couple was on holiday. It has been traced to the owner by the police.

You shouldn't have further bother once the owner has been detained at her majesty's pleasure!

I would think his card has been well and truly marked now.

lynzpower · 17 April 2007 at 7:01PM

God god this is so shocking!

The only thing i can suggest is whether your family have insurance - if not, they better get some pronto ( dont forget quidco cash back)

kay_fin · 17 April 2007 at 7:09PM

For some reason the insurance companies have not paid out on the other homes. They also think that he is not working alone so even if he is locked up theres still a danger. Also when he gets out he can just start where he left off. They think he may be working for a bigger company, if he could build luxury flats on the land he could make so much money (its in a really sort after area)

clutton_2 · 18 April 2007 at 12:34AM

http://www.phhc.co.uk/content/q_law.htm

graham watts is THE UK expert on mobile home sites problems - give him an email - tel him "clutton" recommended him, he will know who i am - good luck

blue_monkey_2 · 18 April 2007 at 7:44AM

This is truely shocking.

Whiel this should not be happeneing, your grandparents need to make sure that anything they have of value is put away in given to someone else for looking after - something that if this happened they would not lose them. While it is OK for the council to say the will put them up by doing this then this nutter could well do their home while the are gone. I can totally understand why everyone is so scared. But for the main thing I would tell them to make sure that everything they hold very dear (photo's, insurance documents, family mementos, etc... be packed into a case and given away so they cannot be destroyed.

What a digusting world we live in that pensioners can be hounded out o the places they have lived for years so a company can make more money, I think I am incline to agree with you on that one, he will probably not work for a bigger company but more for himself who has bought the and for himself but has seen tat with no-one there then property developers will buy it for 5 times more than he paid. Disgraceful.

Oh yes, could they not get some sort of covert camera fitted just in case so they can pass this to the police if need be?

seven-day-weekend · 18 April 2007 at 1:42PM

I think they should take legal advice straight away.

epz_2 · 18 April 2007 at 3:26PM

i agree with the others that legal advice is needed but i would also look at trying to create some sort of poison pill to remove any incentive for taking out such actions.

geting the local council to permantly deny planning permission to anything apart from caravans etc should do it, otherwise i would be tempted to get your grandparents to move out after checking the lease to ensure there is no minimum residency period and infor them you will be keeping on the lease regardless out of spite.

clutton_2 · 19 April 2007 at 12:15AM

kay - i cannot urge you strongly enough to contact graham watts - he WILL know what to do

freebird65 · 19 April 2007 at 12:47AM

This is an absolute shocker - I can't advise anything as I have no knowledge on the subject, but epz's point makes sense and I'd absolutely take clutton's advice - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from giving it a try.

How about contacting Watchdog or a local news channel or paper? This must be a newsworthy piece and such publicity may scare this "person" into laying off the bullying tactics whilst you get some sort of defence campaign together.

Good luck!

seven-day-weekend · 19 April 2007 at 12:53AM

epz wrote: »

geting the local council to permantly deny planning permission to anything apart from caravans etc should do it, .

This is not possible.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

My grandparents are being bullied out of there leeshold property, any advice?

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free