I’ve been locked out of my home of 15 years by estate agents… I deserve to live there, it’s all I have

A PENSIONER has been locked out of his home of more than 15 years after estate agents took over the land. 

Alexander Smith, 78, said he has nowhere else to go after Savills told him to leave.

The former landowner in Newton Bewley, Co Durham, passed away and the property was handed over to the local church. 

It has since sold the farmland to the estate agent, which wants Mr Smith gone. 

He alleged that he received no notice of his eviction before Savills chained the gate shut.

The property management firm also said he is living there without permission and confirmed he has been asked to leave.

Mr Smith told : "I’ve got nowhere to go. It doesn’t make me happy. 

"I'm settled here, it's been my home for 15 years. I don't have any family, this is all I have.

"I just don't think what they are trying to do is right at all.

“Two weeks ago a man claiming to be some sort of caretaker said if I left I wouldn't be allowed to return.

"Then one Wednesday that same man told the postman not to bring me my meals and then he proceeded chain up my gates."

A representative from Savills later approached Mr Smith allegedly asking him to vacate the property or they would be forced to take further action. 

However, these incidents were the first he'd learnt of his eviction, claiming he has received no written notice, nor a verbal one.

Mr Smith is adamant that he deserves to live on the land in peace and has applied for a 'right to stop' order. 

A Savills spokesman said: "We confirm Mr Smith, who is occupying the site without permission, has been asked to leave.";