In 2018, Chris and his wife, from Warwickshire, learned that a former colleague was struggling and on the verge of homelessness. They offered to rent him their two-bedroom apartment in Nuneaton at a significantly reduced rate of £30 per week, compared to the market rate of over £100.
Trusting their former colleague, the couple didn't draw up a formal rental agreement. However, just a few weeks after moving in, the tenant ceased all communication, refused to pay rent, and prevented the landlords from accessing the property for seven years.
Under English law, even without a written contract, verbal agreements are legally binding. Evicting a tenant requires legal proceedings through the courts.
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Chris inside the apartment he rented to his former colleague. Photo: SWNS |
Chris inside the apartment he rented to his former colleague. Photo: SWNS
In January of this year, after seven years, the tenant quietly vacated the apartment. Upon entering, Chris and his wife were horrified to find every room piled high with beer cans, many filled with urine. Rotting food and household waste littered the floors. The walls, carpets, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and furniture were extensively damaged.
"They only paid rent once," said Sandra, Chris's wife. "We tried to be kind, but we feel terribly exploited."
The summer heat exacerbated the stench. "You can't imagine. We estimate there are thousands of beer cans, just everywhere," Chris said.
The Considines had originally purchased the apartment for their 25-year-old daughter, Rose Considine. Witnessing her parents' distress, both emotional and physical, Rose launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for professional cleaning services.
"They let this person stay out of the goodness of their hearts, only to be cut off for seven years and then find their property completely destroyed and filled with a mountain of garbage," Rose shared.
The Considines' story has garnered significant attention from the British media, highlighting the potential risks of renting properties without a contract.
Their experience serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of misplaced kindness.
Kindness, without clear boundaries and careful consideration, can be a double-edged sword, harming the giver while failing to help the recipient.
Nhat Minh (Metro)
