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?
Well as Rupert Lowe has never cared about anything except the size of his wallet I'm not massively surprised.
I would have thought it your sworn duty I used to stick up for the brik-bats that Rupert Lowe used to draw upon himself, as back as far as 2003-04, citing that St Mary's stadium was pushed through by him. Then he started to go off the rails, and finally fell off the line by appointing Steve Wigley, simply because it was the cheap option and he couldn't generate a single penny because he was so disliked by the people with money and interest. The truth is a lot of people got St Mary's to fruition and on budget. Lowe just took all the credit for being Saints chairman at the time. It's the single thing I'll give him a modicum of credit for. In fact, everything he touched seemed to turn to stone.
Definitely. PM me. She is waiting to hear back from our solicitor but I see no reason in not sharing it. The whole thing has been very underhand.
I'm not intending to cover it myself. Merely email it to others who would find the topic takes their fancy. I like to think I'm smart enough to know when I don't know enough about a topic or the implications surrounding it so as to pass it up, in that respect.
I don't know -DTLW. Take a statement from this person and perhaps ask Rupert Lowe for his side. Even a no comment will give you licence, if it is in the public interest, and I believe this could be. Take some proper advice, but why not highlight the story yourself..? Sports related as it involves a tarnished ex-Saints chairman.
And th is this first post that has even considered the "other side". I'm not suggesting anything against the OP's partner in anyway shape or form, but simply noticing that Lowe's name got mentioned and several people started snapping away. The agent may be at fault, they any have not told the whole story to Lowe, anything is possible. Be careful. I hope that the young lady has things work out for her and her children.
Interesting. A bit of searching brings up that Rupert now owns Garforth Town FC, the club that Simon Clifford claimed his famed coaching methods would help quickly turn the club into a full-on professional outfit. They came bottom of their league last season, for reference. Lowe is listed as the club's sole owner on their website, which is viewable here: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/garforthtown/officials/ He has owned the club since December 2012 so I imagine he is still around as I can't find anything to suggest otherwise.
Amen to that. Too often does that happen. I think it's important people consider there are two sides to every coin. I wonder what his, or his agent's, defence is. I don't think it's something for me to fully pursue.
I don't see Simon Clifford in that line-up anymore. And I can't pass up the chance of mentioning this, but we all remember that Rupert used to highlight the excellent catering at St Mary's. Look at the important personnel and you'll see that his priorities are still on track.
Have to agree with the above..........The fact that names have been mentioned is not a good thing at all. Saying that though I really hope the lady is successful with her claim. I hope she can prove her case in regards to the cleaning of the apartment. The number of times I have heard of the agent claiming the deposit because of "remedial work including cleaning" beggars belief. Any way good luck to the lady..........
My son asked for a full breakdown of costs when he had a chunk of deposit withheld (he too had cleaned the house thoroughly). He got the charges reduced by questioning everything and conceding where they had a point. It was amicable in the end. However, some landlords virtually want the house redecorated...after all, any house will need repainting after a few years (especially with children in the house), but I think those costs should be factored (within reason) into the rent. The deposit should be for damage. I think the main problem may be the fact that the person in this story did not pay the deposit. Unless the man concerned has given permission for the deposit to be repaid to the occupant, no landlord would give the money back to her. What happens if that person reappears and asks for his money? The landlord would be liable...he has to hold it safely.
Why is this article here? Other than try to say what a horrible person Lowe is? Those who don't like Lowe already know that and those who do will just dismiss it. Its not juicy, as someone has suggested, its an issue between a landlord and a tenant. Such things happen all the time. Its not really Saints related, its not football related its just more Lowe bashing. Right or wrong I don't think it has a place here. And yes, I am prepared for all the stick that is no doubt coming my way.
