by Jack Abell
A LANDLADY who rented one of her properties to South Bucks District Council (SBDC) only to have it wrecked could be forced to pay the cost of the damages herself, which she fears might reach up to £10,000.
Mrs Kaur and her husband leased the property in Pinewood Green, Iver Heath, to the council on the guarantee they would let it out to a 'friendly family', only to see it filled a family she alledges was laden with ASBOs who had already been moved on from other houses in the area.
The group, which at first consisted of a mother and four children, were soon joined by a band of travellers, which resulted in the house being wrecked.
Mrs Kaur said: "It seemed to get out of control and more kept coming in to the house whenever they felt like it. She tried locking them out but they smashed the downstairs window and came in through there instead."
The house, which in good condition is estimated to be worth between £600,000 and £700,000, was vacated about two weeks ago, and it was only then that Mrs Kaur realised the extent of the damage.
She said: "When I finally saw the house I was truly shocked. We knew there had been lots of trouble here but the state of the place is appalling.
"The cooker has been blown up, the boiler is hanging off the wall and the patio doors removed. The carpets, which were brand new a year ago, have been urinated on. The toilet was blocked but they were still using it. It was disgusting. A few months ago the fire service had to be called because one of the children here had lit a firework indoors.
"We were going to move into the house eventually but I can't face it any more."
She added: "Michael Press, property liaison officer for SBDC, said that if there were issues with the tenant he would resolve them immediately but he never did anything to help and brushed me off."
When Mrs Kaur complained to SBDC she was told that she may have to pay back the costs herself.
She added: "It's completely unfair, why should we be out of pocket when it's not our fault? The council should pay because they put these people in there. I'm planning on making a formal compl