When Jan Pringle bought a flat in Plymouth in 2017, he envisioned a straightforward rental experience.

After housing three tenants without any issues, he was unprepared for the chaos one resident would bring.

For two years, the tenant refused property checks, leaving Jan in the dark about the true state of the home.

Little did he know, behind the closed door was a scene that would haunt him.

A Gruesome Discovery

After finally obtaining a court order to evict the tenant, Jan entered the property and was greeted with an unimaginable sight.

Piles of rubbish, some three feet high, blocked the door.

The air was thick and humid, reminiscent of a rainforest, but the overwhelming stench told a different story.

Among the debris were 200 bottles of urine, bags of human waste, and rotting food containers.

“It was like nothing I’d ever smelled before,” Jan shared, describing the ordeal.

Wearing gloves and a mask, he crawled through the flat, uncovering layers of waste that had been composting for years.

The sofa had a single clean spot, presumably where the tenant spent their days and nights amidst the chaos.

A Tenant Who Refused Help

The tenant had initially signed a six-month contract, which later transitioned to a rolling agreement.

Jan, like most responsible landlords, attempted regular six-month checks but was consistently denied access.

While he could have pressed for entry in emergencies, Jan hesitated, concerned about overstepping legal boundaries.

Neighbors raised alarms, mentioning that the tenant never took out the bins or left the flat.

Jan even reached out to welfare charities, hoping someone could check on the tenant’s well-being.

Unfortunately, without the tenant’s consent, there was little anyone could do.

Eviction became the only option, but it was a difficult decision for Jan, who felt deeply conflicted.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of the eviction left Jan questioning his future in property rental.

With eight properties under his management, he admitted this incident made him reconsider the challenges of being a landlord.

“People often blame landlords, but the private rental sector is vital because there aren’t enough houses,” Jan explained.

He shared the shocking state of the flat on TikTok, where it garnered over 16,000 views and sparked a heated debate about tenant-landlord relationships.

While some empathized with his plight, others criticized landlords as a whole.

What’s Next for Jan?

Despite the ordeal, Jan knows selling his properties isn’t a viable option at the moment.

However, he remains committed to raising awareness about the importance of responsible renting—for both landlords and tenants.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise in the private rental sector and the need for better support systems to address them.

For now, Jan continues to manage his properties with caution, hoping to avoid another nightmare like this one.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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