Pensioner's Bungalow Roof Stripped After Eviction Over Boundary Dispute
A 77-year-old pensioner, evicted from her £420,000 bungalow following a bitter court battle centred on a mere 12-inch strip of land, has been left 'furious' after discovering that construction work is being carried out on the property while it is actively marketed for sale.
Roof Tiles Removed for Insulation Extraction
Jenny Field was shocked to learn that all the roof tiles on her former three-bedroom detached bungalow in Poole, Dorset, have been stripped off. The work is being done to remove spray foam insulation installed in the rafters. 'I got a call that two men were on my roof chucking out the tiles,' Mrs Field said. 'I went past it on the bus and could see my roof was just wooden rafters and no tiles. It is very sad to see it because I worked damn hard on that property.'
Court Battle Leads to Repossession and Sale
The eviction occurred in January after Mrs Field failed to pay her neighbour Pauline Clark's £113,000 legal bill. A county court judge issued a repossession order, granting Mrs Clark's solicitors the authority to sell the property to recoup costs. The bungalow was listed for £325,000, and a buyer was reportedly found, but issues with the spray foam insulation caused a snag.
Workmen were seen at the cul-de-sac on Thursday, removing the roof tiles to clean away all the foam. It remains unclear who will be footing the bill for this extensive work. Mrs Field, who had been living in a hostel and is now staying at a friend's flat, insisted, 'I'm not paying it, that's for sure.'
Spray Foam Insulation Complications
Spray foam insulation is commonly used to prevent heat escape from roofs, but concerns have arisen about moisture trapping and potential decay of roof timbers. Consequently, some mortgage firms are reluctant to deal with homes containing such insulation, forcing owners to spend thousands on removal to facilitate sales.
Once the house sale is finalised and Mrs Clark receives her £113,000, Mrs Field will get the remainder of the proceeds. However, she claims the property has been listed for £75,000 less than her valuation.
Origin of the Bitter Neighbour Dispute
The row between Mrs Field and Mrs Clark originated from a boundary fence erected in 2020. Mrs Field contended it was positioned 12 inches onto her land and had contractors remove it. The matter escalated to court, with Mrs Field ultimately losing.
Initially, her legal bill was around £13,000, but it ballooned to a six-figure sum after she repeatedly challenged the ruling unsuccessfully. She was given three months to pay, or her home would be repossessed and sold.
In December, Mrs Field made a final attempt to overturn the ruling by alleging fraud, which the judge dismissed as 'totally without merit.' On January 26, bailiffs arrived at the usually peaceful Dean Close and evicted her. She was given until mid-February to remove her belongings or risk them being dumped.
Ongoing Financial and Legal Burdens
Following the eviction, the locks were changed, and Mrs Field is no longer permitted to enter the premises. Additionally, BCP Council has informed her that she remains liable for council tax as she is still the freehold owner. Both BCP Council and Pauline Clark have been contacted for comment regarding the ongoing situation.
