Aspiring homeowner Billie-Mae Smith, 24, is facing a financial abyss after her dream of a self-build property under the government's Help to Build scheme turned into a £50,000 nightmare. Her local council, she claims, pledged crucial funding and then ignored her, leaving her with a shell of a house and insurmountable debt.
A Dream Home Promise Turns Sour
Ms. Smith, a full-time carer, embarked on her property journey with the government's Help to Build initiative. The scheme is designed to assist individuals with the upfront costs of constructing a new home or custom-building through a developer. Confident in the process, she purchased a plot of land with planning permission in Hartlepool, investing her entire £15,000 life savings.
She asserts that Hartlepool Borough Council explicitly promised her that the required funds for the build would be available through the scheme. Relying on this assurance, she proceeded with purchasing the land and began to plan her future home.
Left in the Lurch with Mounting Debt
According to Ms. Smith, the council's support vanished after the land purchase was complete. "They just went silent," she explained. "The funding they promised never materialised. I'm now stuck with a mortgage on a piece of land I can't build on, and the bills are piling up."
The financial strain has been devastating. In addition to the land mortgage, she has accrued significant debts from ground rent, service charges, and legal fees. The total debt has now ballooned to approximately £50,000, a crushing burden for the young carer.
A Plea for Help and Accountability
Ms. Smith's case highlights potential cracks in the administration of government housing schemes. She feels utterly abandoned by the system that was supposed to help her. "I put all my trust in this scheme and the council's word. Now I'm facing ruin," she stated.
She is now calling for greater accountability and support for those who find themselves in similar situations, urging for clearer communication and guaranteed follow-through on funding promises from local authorities.
Hartlepool Borough Council has been contacted for comment regarding the allegations.
