First-home couple discovered elderly man already there
AYOUNG couple were set to move into their first home together, only to find a 99-year-old man already living there.
The pair, aged 22 and 26, from Bridgend, were excited about moving into their first home together. But their dream turned into a bizarre nightmare.
Amy Da Cruz works as a driver, and was looking for a new property alongside her partner Matthew Morgan, a valeter.
They posted an advert on Gumtree looking for a house to rent and were approached by a landlord claiming to have a house that would suit them.
Amy said: “We started talking to the landlord on WhatsApp and got really excited. We were sent pictures of the inside and it seemed to have large bedrooms, a driveway, a big kitchen and garden, so we were really keen.”
Amy said: “We really wanted the house. So we paid £300 in two payments on the understanding that we would get the money back if we didn’t like the house.”
On the day of the viewing the couple were asked by the “landlord” for a further £500 as the first month’s rent.
“All of the emails and texts mentioned his solicitor and we had seen a copy of the tenancy agreement, so we had no reason to believe that something wasn’t right.”
The couple transferred the extra money. But when they went to the property they found that the house was occupied by its actual owner – who had no idea his home had been placed on the rental market.
“I was so annoyed,” fumed Amy. “I emailed the landlord straightaway, asking what was going on. They emailed back saying that they had injured their foot and that they would meet us the next day. I asked for the money back, but have not heard from them since.”
Matthew had already given notice on his current lodgings but was able to reverse this before a new tenant could be found. However, he and his girlfriend had been left £800 out of pocket.
“We will never do something like this again,” said Amy. “From now on we will only go through property management companies.”
Unfortunately, because Amy transferred the money willingly, her bank has said she is unlikely to get it back.
Frank Ballinger has lived at the property in Brackla for around 30 years.
The 99-year-old has described the moment he met the couple and realised that his home had been offered for rent without his knowledge.
“The couple came here one afternoon and they said that they were here to look at the house,” said Mr Ballinger, a retired special constable with South Wales Police. “I was confused at first, I said to them, ‘are you sure it’s not the number across the road?’ as there’s a couple up for rent in the street.
“They were adamant that it was this house. At first I had my suspicions that I was being scammed.
“Hopefully the person who is behind this scam is found.”