Windmill Flats Development Triggers Tenancy Dispute

Homes come in all shapes and sizes and, in one unusual case, a suspected error made when drawing up plans of a windmill after it was converted into flats became a source of conflict between a tenant and his landlord more than 20 years later.

The tenant occupied the top four stories of the windmill under a 999-year lease which was signed in 1993. A corridor, which measured about three metres square, was the only means of access to his spare bedroom. However, it did not appear to be included as part of his property in plans attached to his lease.

Pensioner Scores Grass Verge “Squatters Rights” Victory

So-called squatter’s rights are a controversial subject, but they exist to ensure that Britain’s scarce land resources are used as fully as possible. In one case, an elderly woman established ownership of a grass verge outside her home which she had tended as part of her garden for many years.

After purchasing her home in 1999, the woman set about beautifying the verge and installing two car parking spaces. She imported 12 tons of topsoil, seeded the verge with grass and put in place a coping stone bearing the name of her home.

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