SOUTH LYNN: Landlord hits back at claims by ex-tenants
Landlord James Cotton surveys the damage to his property at 35 Hillen Road, South Lynn.
The landlord who was accused of evicting a family just four days before a baby girl’s birth has hit back saying they were not good tenants.
James Cotton has taken photos of the £4,000 worth of damage the family allegedly caused to his property in Hillen Road, South Lynn, and says he may even put them on display in the front garden.
As reported in the Lynn News last week, the family were homeless just four days before baby Lexy was born.
Parents Gareth Thompson and Alicia Langley, and their two other children, aged two and four, were evicted by Mr Cotton with nowhere else to go, even though they made a homelessness application to West Norfolk Council.
They claimed they were not to blame for being made homeless, and their local councillor, Charles Joyce, said their treatment by the council was “shocking”.
But Mr Cotton, who is also a builder, claimed that not only did the family damage the property but they also owed around £1,500 in rent arrears.
He said: “I didn’t know she (Alicia) was pregnant, but to be honest it would have made no difference.
“If the rent’s not paid I’ve got to find the money to pay the mortgage or then it’s my kids that suffer.
“And if I don’t pay the mortgage it’s me that will get a black mark against my name.”
He also alleged every door in the house had been kicked off, the kitchen cupboards and work tops damaged, a toilet pulled up and carpets ruined.
Mr Cotton said: “I always used to believe that if you gave someone a nice place to start with they’d look after it, but that’s absolute rubbish.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
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