Rebuilt Kent Property Faces Second Demolition Threat Over Illegal HMO Conversion
A three-bedroom terrace house in Sheerness, Kent, which was dramatically destroyed by its despairing landlord last year, has been rebuilt by a property developer – only to face potential demolition once again due to alleged planning breaches.
From Demolition Site to HMO Controversy
The property, originally purchased for £134,000 at auction after being repossessed from landlord Louis Scudder, has undergone extensive renovation work. However, Swale Borough Council has launched an investigation after discovering extensions were added without permission to convert the former family home into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Neighbours have complained about additional rooms constructed in the roof space and at the rear of the property, which now features six separate units with individual doorbells. The HMO is reportedly charging tenants up to £700 per month each.
Neighbourhood Concerns and Council Action
One local resident expressed frustration to the Daily Mail: "We thought our troubles were over and now this happens. We had to evacuate our homes when Louis went up on the roof and started demolishing the house, then we had to put up with what looked like a bomb site for over a year."
Another neighbour added: "They put in a dormer room in the roof and another one at the back. No one ever applied for planning permission. Now they could end up having to take it all down again because of the illegal work. It's unbelievable."
Swale Borough Council confirmed: "We are currently investigating the property for a breach of planning control and as a suspected unlicensed house in multiple occupation." The authority has pledged to crack down on "predatory and exploitative landlords who are carving up properties to fit as many people in as possible."
The Property's Troubled History
The house gained national attention in August 2024 when Mr Scudder, 53, climbed onto the roof and launched a one-man demolition mission, leading to a 24-hour stand-off with police in riot gear. Ripping off tiles with his bare hands and smashing windows, he declared: "I'm not coming down until I've destroyed the whole place. I'm going to take it apart brick by brick."
Mr Scudder's actions followed a 17-year dispute with tenant Ayshea Kramer, who had occupied the property under what he claimed was a 25-year tenancy agreement signed without his knowledge. The fixed £400 monthly rent left him unable to cover his £850 mortgage payments, ultimately leading to repossession.
Legal Battles and Personal Consequences
The protracted conflict resulted in multiple court battles, with Mr Scudder ordered last year to pay Ms Kramer £53,000 for lost possessions and damages after his demolition spree made her homeless. He described himself as "a broken man" who had "lost all trust in the system."
Mr Scudder now lives with his partner and her eight-year-old son in a leaking caravan on the Isle of Sheppey, while Ms Kramer has reportedly been left traumatised by losing her home and treasured possessions including family photographs.
Broader Implications for Property Regulation
This case highlights growing concerns about unlicensed HMOs and planning violations in residential areas. Legal representatives for Ms Kramer emphasised: "Taking matters into your own hands not only violates tenants' rights but can result in serious financial penalties and legal consequences. This case is a stark warning: always respect due process."
As the council investigation continues, the Sheerness property stands as a symbol of failed housing policies, landlord-tenant conflicts, and regulatory challenges facing local authorities across the UK.
