With Squat to do about tradesman scam
A PLAN to spruce up her house before selling it has turned into a nightmare for one reader.
Mary, 58, from Sheffield had recently moved in with her new partner Dave and hoped to put her own home on the market.
With the proceeds they were going to pay off Dave’s mortgage and put his house in joint names.
In order to get Mary’s property ready to go on the market they decided on a fresh lick of paint.
So Mary posted the job on a website which is supposed to match customers up with reputable tradesmen.
Within a day of posting the advert Mary had a response from Jacob Neuman, trading as Sheffield Home Services. ces.
Mr r Neuman said he could inspect the property roperty that day, provide a quote I BOUGHT a watch from a High Street shop in January. It went back twice for repairs becauseause of problems with the strap.ap. The shop confirmed it was the same issue both times. Now it has happened again. I’ve taken it backk and they now say I will have to pay for the repair. Paul Langford IF the problem with the strap is down to a manufacturing fault, as opposed to wear and tear or damage you have caused, they will have to pay for the repair. On the basis they have failed to deal with the issue after two repairs you could also now demand a refund instead. I ORDERED a television unit online two months ago. It has finally arrived but it is the wrong model. I have tried to contact the website I purchased it from but so far there is no response at all from them. What can I do? Hazel Demit SEND them a letter immediately so that you have and start the next day as he had just had a job cancelled.
This was music to Mary’s ears as she and Dave were keen to get the property on the market quickly.
Mary and Dave met with Mr Neuman to show him around the hou se and agreed his quote.
They then handed him a cheque for half his fee and keys so that he could let himself in and start work.
False
Mary went over to the house four days later to see how the work was progressing.
No one was there and Mary couldn’t get the front door open.
When she returned the next day she could see Mr Neuman and a child through the window but he wouldn’t answer the door. It started to dawn upon Mary she and Dave had been scammed. Mr Neuman, which is probably not his real name, leaned out of the top window and told them that his family lived in the house now and they had “squatters’ rights”
The police were called and the fraudster handed a note out of the letterbox which claimed the owner gave him the keys and allowed him to reside there.
The police told Mary and Dave to get a court order.
I have recommended that Mary call them again and explain:
1) The fraudster entered under false pretences as a tradesman. 2) She has part paid for the job 3) He has defrauded her. This gives police grounds to enter, arrest him and remove him.
Remember, if you let tradesmen work in your property alone it is unlikely an insurer will pay out if something is stolen or damaged. firms put in vehicles. I took my car to a garage and they found one of these devices. I’ve contacted the finance firm and they deny all knowledge. Geraldine Hope IF the car had a previous owner it is possible they had finance and their finance provider installed the device. If your provider is denying all knowledge you can have it removed. IF a neighbour’s tree overhangs my garden can I cut it down? Terrence Appleton YOU can cut only those branches that overhang your garden. You also have to place the cuttings back over the fence. It is sensible to ask permission first but that is not a legal must.