I am not sure where else to turn to for help, having exhausted so many avenues, so it is now in complete desperation that I write to you with the hope that I may somehow via public support, reclaim my once beautiful home that now have squatters residing.
In unbelievable and to be honest unfathomable circumstances, I am now homeless, sleeping from sofa to sofa of any friend that can temporarily provide a roof over my head.
Last September, I paid for the services of a leading london estate agent to help me find suitable tenants for my apartment in London, while I moved to New York to follow my music dreams. Shortly afterwards, they informed me they had found the perfect tenants, Ms Venetia Bailey & Mr Ernest Henderson. As I was already abroad, I had to place my full trust in this agency, and paid them their required commission for finding them. Since then, This organisation have completely wiped their hands of the entire situation.
These tenants they handed my apartment keys over to have not once paid their rent in full, as per their now expired by 4 months lease agreement, and in May refused to pay anything whatsoever, leaving me almost 6k GBP in arrears. They have also ruined what was left of my belongings, smashed windows and replaced others with cheap frosted glass (my guess is so that no one could see in), changed the locks, and the once beautiful garden is now completely overgrown and littered with broken furniture and electrical items such as washing machines. I have 3 witnesses who have said they will sign statements on the above, and who also were led to believe they had drugs on the premises. In January I paid for an eviction notice to be sent to them, however this was completely ignored.
To make matters worse, Venetia Bailey works for Lambeth Living, which is a division of Lambeth council. Venetia would be well aware of the laws that state that if you are evicted you may claim free housing, however this does not apply if you willfully move on your own accord. I have recently also discovered that they have not paid any of their utility bills for the duration of their stay.
I visited Venetia and Ernest at my apartment with my friend last month, in the hope of claiming my arrears, and to let them know I had come back to try and save my home from repossession. When there, Ernest threatened to punch me, and screamed that there was no way they were paying a penny, nor would they ever leave unless they had a court order in their hands. I left in tears – not only can I not afford the court costs, but I do not have any time left before the bank repossess.
Furthermore, I have sadly discovered that my Mum in Australia has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I desperately need to go back to see her, and help her through this difficult time. I returned to London on the 30th April with the intent and hope of having this situation sorted, however it has taken so long I no longer have an income and have depleted all of my resources in trying to save my apartment. I am at such a loss as to what to do.
I would therefore be so very grateful if you were to spare a few minutes to read my full set of circumstances, as I am hoping that by going public with this crazy story it may help me reclaim my home. It is my last hope in any case.
Naomi
