I have stopped letting properties – Fergus Wilson

Like all employers in the South East I was heavily dependent on an East European workforce. On 1^st October, 2018 at 7.30am a Hungarian workman did not turn up for work. He telephoned to say he was on the ferry heading for Calais as he had been offered a job the previous night in Germany. So he just up and went.

Yesterday I lost two more Romanian workmen reducing the number to 6 full time workmen compared to 14 in October 2008.

I have therefore taken the decision to stop letting properties in Ashford and Maidstone for the foreseeable future. Without East European staff I cannot operate!

It is virtually impossible for a tenant to find a property to let in Maidstone. I have sold four houses in the past week and those tenants, all East European, have lost their homes.

If you cannot maintain houses to the correct standard and deliver Heating Services promptly in winter then there is little option, but to cease to rent out properties.

I have tenants who have been with me since 2005 and 2006 and am loathed to end their tenancies, but simply can no longer offer the service necessary.

Whether this is to do with Brexit or not need not concern me. I have to deal with the present day situation. It just cannot go on.

Fergus