2,000 risk losing ‘sale and rent back’ houses

Mar 31 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

Case study: 'I expected to live here until I died'

ROSEMARY Scott can barely fight back the tears when she thinks about losing the home she has put every last penny into for the last 15 years.

The 57-year-old of Longbenton sold her home to North East Property Buyers when she was hit with financial problems 10 years ago. But she was promised she would be able to stay in the home she loved, and would even get a £15,000 lump sum to see her through her retirement, after 10 years.

But Rosemary has just received a letter to say her home was at risk because the landlords had not paid their mortgage.

"I’m so worried I’m going to lose my home," she said. "The reason I sold it to them is because I didn’t want to lose it. I thought I would live here until I died.

"If I lose my house I will have nothing left."

Rosemary has put her heart and soul into making the house her own. She has decorated every room and laid the 400 slabs in her patio all by herself. "I have knocked walls down, and extended it. I did it all myself," she continued. "I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into this house and I have put all my money into it. I was expecting to live here until I died. When I think about all the years I have put into this house I just can’t stand it."