The woman was stunned to find out their neighbour had rented their home out up until next January – and asked if she would be unreasonable to demand the tentants leave
Having a house abroad means you have free rein to go away as much as you wish – unless your home was somehow rented out without your knowledge.
It sounds ludicrous but that’s the one nightmare for one family who found out their neighbour had been renting out their holiday home in Spain for long months at a time without telling them.
The woman explained that her dad had bought the house in Spain in the 70s and the family would visit regularly until four years ago when he had a stroke and was unable to travel. However now he’s better and planning a trip to his sunny home, he’s found out his neighbour in Spain took it upon themselves to rent the property out up until next year – meaning he can’t visit as it’s occupied.
Furious, the woman took to Mumsnet to vent about her dad’s situation. She said: “My father had a catastrophic stroke and wasn’t able to travel for a while and the place wasn’t used as much. The neighbour there offered to keep an eye on the place in return for his family being able to stay there on the odd weekend/couple of weeks in the summer.
“He’s a nice guy and has done a lot to modernise the property. My father then gave him permission to rent out the flat when it wasn’t being used, again, for the odd weekend/couple of weeks in the summer, nothing permanent or long term and we were to be kept informed about who was staying there and when in advance of it being rented out.”
However, now her dad is “excited” to be able to visit again in June, but has found out the property has been rented out up until January next year. She added: “My father emailed the neighbour, only to be told that it’s not possible because he’s rented the property out until January!
“Not only is this not permitted, but we weren’t even told! I am absolutely outraged and my father is very cross. He’s emailed the neighbour to say that we will be arriving on said dates and that’s non-negotiable, the neighbour has replied to say that he’s away this week so will respond next week. Meanwhile, flights have been booked, all on the assumption that we were to be notified in advance of it being rented out.”
The woman stated there had been no official contract drawn up and said: “I think what has happened is that the neighbour has become used to us not using it and has been renting it out far more than we were aware. So what do we do now if he refuses to get the ‘tenants’ to leave?!
“Surely their contract with the neighbour is null and void because he doesn’t have permission to rent it out on this basis? The neighbour DEFINITELY knows this.” She then asked if she was being unreasonable to demand the tenants leave so they could use the holiday home.
People were quick to comment on the ordeal, as it clearly left many people horrified. “Best someone gets out there, changes the locks and deals with it ASAP, I’d say,” one commented, while another added: “I think you need to get some legal advice as an absolute priority. This should never have been allowed to go so far and it was very naive of your father to let this happen. You are going to have to unpick a right old mess here.”
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