This is a true story, only the names of individuals and locations have been changed. Except Rupert Lowe. Oh and it's in Southampton.
My partner rented a three bedroom house, owned by Rupert Lowe. She was a model tennant; paid on time, never complained and kept the place immaculate. She is also a hard working mother of 2 studying nursing at degree level.
Around 6 months ago she was targetted by a stalker. At first it was death threats and just one window broken, which the landlord covered on his insurance. Then things escallated, despite efforts from the police. Bricks and rocks thrown at the patio doors, front door smashed in, windows broken and tyres slashed. All while 2 young children slept in the house. This time the landlord decided not to pay for the damage, suggesting it was her fault and that in some way she was responsible for his actions. He stated that he didn't want 'someone like that' living in his property. He served her with an eviction notice. The police caught the stalker and he was convicted of 1 count of harassment and 2 counts of criminal damage.
I helped her move and we cleaned the place top to bottom, hiring professional carpet cleaners and having the oven professionally cleaned- it was hard work. Having to borrow the money for her next deposit, and being a hard up mother of 2 studying full time, she was dependant on getting the deposit back. Which we weren't too worried about- after all we had left the property in very good condition!
The deposit was held in a government deposit scheme, but she was not the lead tenant on the paperwork. Her ex had moved out some 18 months prior, and it had not been amended. This meant that the desposit could ONLY be paid back to Rupert Lowe. After 3 months of being brushed off by the estate agents it transpired that the deposit had been paid back in July. Despite numerous phone/email conversations after this date it had not been mentioned. Finally after skating round the issue the estate agent said "Oh I think most of the money was eaten up by cleaning and decorating".
We are currently locked in a court battle for the £1500 owed by Rupert Lowe. Would you believe a once esteemed pillar of the saints community would con a lone parent of 2 and full time student for the sum of £1500?
My partner rented a three bedroom house, owned by Rupert Lowe. She was a model tennant; paid on time, never complained and kept the place immaculate. She is also a hard working mother of 2 studying nursing at degree level.
Around 6 months ago she was targetted by a stalker. At first it was death threats and just one window broken, which the landlord covered on his insurance. Then things escallated, despite efforts from the police. Bricks and rocks thrown at the patio doors, front door smashed in, windows broken and tyres slashed. All while 2 young children slept in the house. This time the landlord decided not to pay for the damage, suggesting it was her fault and that in some way she was responsible for his actions. He stated that he didn't want 'someone like that' living in his property. He served her with an eviction notice. The police caught the stalker and he was convicted of 1 count of harassment and 2 counts of criminal damage.
I helped her move and we cleaned the place top to bottom, hiring professional carpet cleaners and having the oven professionally cleaned- it was hard work. Having to borrow the money for her next deposit, and being a hard up mother of 2 studying full time, she was dependant on getting the deposit back. Which we weren't too worried about- after all we had left the property in very good condition!
The deposit was held in a government deposit scheme, but she was not the lead tenant on the paperwork. Her ex had moved out some 18 months prior, and it had not been amended. This meant that the desposit could ONLY be paid back to Rupert Lowe. After 3 months of being brushed off by the estate agents it transpired that the deposit had been paid back in July. Despite numerous phone/email conversations after this date it had not been mentioned. Finally after skating round the issue the estate agent said "Oh I think most of the money was eaten up by cleaning and decorating".
We are currently locked in a court battle for the £1500 owed by Rupert Lowe. Would you believe a once esteemed pillar of the saints community would con a lone parent of 2 and full time student for the sum of £1500?
