Latest news with #LutonCountyCourt
The Independent
12-03-2025
- The Independent
A Luton reverend had his house sold without his knowledge - nearly four years later it's been returned
A reverend whose house was sold without his knowledge has had his property returned to him after he was forced to resort to the courts to reclaim it. Reverend Mike Hall had been in North Wales when he received a phone call from neighbours in August 2021 who told him someone had turned the lights on inside the property in Luton. He drove back early the following morning to find the locks had been changed at his terraced home, which had been completely stripped of all furnishings, and a builder working inside. 'I went to the front door, tried my key in the front door, it didn't work and a man opened the front door to me,' he told BBC Radio 4 's You and Yours programme in November 2021. 'I pushed him to one side and got in the property. I really didn't know what he was doing there. The shock of seeing the house completely stripped of furniture; all furnishings, carpet, curtains - everything - was out of the property.' Mr Hall called the police but the builder went to fetch the new owner's father, who told him he had bought the house in July. According to the BBC, the Land Registry at the time accepted fault and put his name back on the title, but when he returned again in 2023 he found a family living there. Mr Hall went to Luton County Court to take possession of the home again this year. A woman, following proceedings through a Romanian interpreter, and a child also attended. The public broadcaster reported that on Monday, Luton County Court judge Elaine Vignoli granted Mr Hall possession of the home. According to the BBC, the court was told the occupants did not oppose Mr Hall's application, and Judge Vignoli ordered "persons unknown" must pay his costs.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man whose house was 'stolen' gets possession back
A reverend whose house was sold without him knowing has had the property returned to him nearly four years on, after a family was ordered to leave. Rev Mike Hall returned to his Luton home from Wales in 2021 to find someone impersonating him had sold it on for £131,000, after his identity was stolen. The Land Registry accepted fault and put his name back on the title, but when he returned again in 2023 he found a family living there. At Luton County Court on Monday, Judge Elaine Vignoli granted Mr Hall outright possession of the home in 14 days. Mr Hall said he was "quite angry about the way in which this has played out", and "quite sad" for both himself and the family living there. While working in north Wales in 2021, Mr Hall was alerted by neighbours that someone was in his house and all the lights were on. Mr Hall drove back to Luton and found a new owner carrying out building work. "I tried my key in the front door, it didn't work and a man opened the front door to me - and the shock of seeing the house completely stripped of furniture, everything was out of the property," he said. BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme obtained the driving licence used to impersonate Mr Hall, details of a bank account set up in his name to receive the proceeds of the sale, and phone recordings of a man claiming to be Mr Hall instructing solicitors to sell the house. After he reclaimed ownership two years later, a BBC reporter visited the home and spoke to a man and a woman with a young child who had a bogus rental contract. Mr Hall went to Luton County Court to take possession of the home once more. A woman, following proceedings through a Romanian interpreter, and a child also attended. Mr Hall's lawyer, Lewis Colbourne, said there were "two innocent parties in court". The occupants had been told by police 18 months ago to stop paying rent, which did not go to Mr Hall, and the judge heard an investigation remained ongoing. The court was told the occupants did not oppose the application and the judge granted Mr Hall possession and that "persons unknown" must pay his costs. Mr Hall said: "I am quite sad that the [woman] has now got to find a new home for herself." You can listen to the full interview with Mr Hall on Radio 4's You and Yours at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Luton Justice Centre
BBC News
12-03-2025
- BBC News
Man whose Luton house was 'stolen' gets possession back
A reverend whose house was sold without him knowing has had the property returned to him nearly four years on, after a family was ordered to Mike Hall returned to his Luton home from Wales in 2021 to find someone impersonating him had sold it on for £131,000, after his identity was Land Registry accepted fault and put his name back on the title, but when he returned again in 2023 he found a family living Luton County Court on Monday, Judge Elaine Vignoli granted Mr Hall outright possession of the home in 14 days. Mr Hall said he was "quite angry about the way in which this has played out", and "quite sad" for both himself and the family living working in north Wales in 2021, Mr Hall was alerted by neighbours that someone was in his house and all the lights were Hall drove back to Luton and found a new owner carrying out building work."I tried my key in the front door, it didn't work and a man opened the front door to me - and the shock of seeing the house completely stripped of furniture, everything was out of the property," he Radio 4's You and Yours programme obtained the driving licence used to impersonate Mr Hall, details of a bank account set up in his name to receive the proceeds of the sale, and phone recordings of a man claiming to be Mr Hall instructing solicitors to sell the he reclaimed ownership two years later, a BBC reporter visited the home and spoke to a man and a woman with a young child who had a bogus rental contract. Mr Hall went to Luton County Court to take possession of the home once more. A woman, following proceedings through a Romanian interpreter, and a child also Hall's lawyer, Lewis Colbourne, said there were "two innocent parties in court".The occupants had been told by police 18 months ago to stop paying rent, which did not go to Mr Hall, and the judge heard an investigation remained court was told the occupants did not oppose the application and the judge granted Mr Hall possession and that "persons unknown" must pay his Hall said: "I am quite sad that the [woman] has now got to find a new home for herself."You can listen to the full interview with Mr Hall on Radio 4's You and Yours at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
