see itv tonight

[martin]

on show ITV 1 programme "Homes from Hell" at 9pm - details here

"This edition focuses on the people whose quest for a home in the perfect setting has led to disaster. Featuring the stories of the couple who bought a tranquil horse sanctuary in Portugal only to discover that it was about to be turned into a motorway traffic island, the feud between neighbours in Somerset which deprived one family's home of its beautiful countryside views, and the retired couple who started a new life in Spain but found their home - and relationship - falling apart. Plus the tale of the owners of a luxury converted farmhouse who returned from holiday to find it completely destroyed"

[Gary/Gaynor]

missed it this week but saw it last week about this guy who was having a villa built in the Portuguese hills (can't remember where) didn't have the deeds to the land, paying builder in 4 installments, just about to pay the last installment builder does a runner leaving a half built villa and around 135,00 GBP out of pocket. No land deeds and ten years later still trying to get the legal answers..jezz some people are gullible, why would you start building without actually having purchased the land first. Very sad though.
Gaynor

[martin]

missed that one!


item from itv on the show you mentioned


"Former concert pianist David Heft from Boston, Lincolnshire, tells Homes From Hell how he invested his life savings in building a luxury villa in Portugal for him and his partner to enjoy their retirement. The programme features footage of the building getting underway, which David shot himself. He agreed to pay 209,000 euros in four instalments and was told that the land and the property would be signed over to him once the developer received the final payment and the villa was complete.

But after a third instalment and a total of 130,000 euros the work stopped and the builders never returned. David is now left with half finished building which he can’t even sell because it is not in his name. Homes From Hell flies out to Portugal with David to see the property and he chokes back tears as he reveals how the stress of the situation has now cost him his relationship and all his money.

He says: “As a result of this house, I have lost a vast amount of money, I’ve lost my partner, I’ve lost my dream that I cherished. I’ve lost the wonderful retirement I was so looking to having, I’ve lost it all.”

[martin]

and more on the show tonight



"Dean and Wendy Roberts tell the series how they decided to leave their home in Wales to open a horse sanctuary in Portugal after finding the perfect location – a rustic farmhouse set within 44 acres of peaceful countryside. They paid 225,000 Euros for the home and sold their existing house in Wales to pay for the necessary renovations.

But, before work could start, the couple were given the earth-shattering news that a six-lane motorway and adjoining A-road were going to be built right through their land, turning their home into a traffic island.

And Dean and Wendy believe that the estate agent who sold them the property knew of the proposed motorway and didn’t tell them.

Dean tells the programme: “I just broke down into tears because it was like somebody betraying me. It’s devastating people’s lives, uprooting to a new country, wanting to make a new start, put our money and effort into it. I don’t know how they sleep.”

Homes From Hell is with the couple when they get another agent to value the property and are dealt the devastating blow that it is now only worth 125,000 Euros and would be extremely difficult to sell.

The series wrote to the estate agents who said that they didn’t know about the A-road or that the motorway was going to be so close to the house. Dean and Wendy are now planning to take legal action, but it could take years to be resolved."

[sam]

A common theme of these tales of woe - why are their solicitors who did the conveyancing not mentioned? - Often people don't use them. One couple asked about this on one of these programs admitted that they had not used a solicitor, as the seller seemed so trustworthy. They would not act like that in the UK, so why do it abroad where you don't know the language or the laws? Much of these heartaches need not happen if people acted sensibly and with caution. Take the Cyprus case. We knew someone who purchased a property there about 15 - 20 years ago, and the problems of previous owners reclaiming land was known then. He was aware of it, took the risk, and took out insurance (Title Land Indemnity insurance). Why did the couple on Homes from Hell not do this? Ignoring the possibility or pennypinching? - either way they took a gamble and it did not pay off.
The estate agent who sold us our CVO property could have acted for both parties, but we got our own advogado, who sorted out some problems before we bought. Now, 17 years later we still use the same company on occasions. They have always acted quickly on any issues we have raised, and actually got building work halted on a neighbouring property when we had a dispute, and situation was resolved amicably.

[maccasa]

totally agree sam - how some of these cases always have the same theme of people not checking the deeds/paperwork or not employing a separate legal rep absolutely amazes me.

[HampshireRich]

totally agree sam - how some of these cases always have the same theme of people not checking the deeds/paperwork or not employing a separate legal rep absolutely amazes me.

You do wonder, don't you - in the UK would you really try to buy land or property without using correct legal representation? - not unless you are really stupid, so why do it anywhere else? These people get what they deserve because they try to do things on the cheap! Don't do it unless you get the right legal people to represent you - no matter what the cost!