Caring for others
After his mother’s health deteriorated, Peter, a retired taxi driver from London, moved in with her to be her carer. He tried to get a bank loan to maintain his own home in his absence but was declined due to the building’s already poor state. After standing empty for 10 years, Peter’s home fell into complete disrepair.
The local authority Empty Homes Enforcement Officer referred Peter to us. As he was happy to lease his property via the council to a family on their waiting list, London Rebuilding Society organised and project managed the complete refurbishment of his home, from structural repairs to new white goods.
While the work to Peter’s house cost £78,000, the value of the property jumped to £100,000, leaving Peter with more equity than when he started. Best of all, a homeless family was housed, at an affordable rent, in his house.
My house is back to its former glory. It was a burden before but now I know that it’s providing a home to a family in need and it’s also increased in value. A real win-win situation.
Peter