‘Horror’ as family home of more than 80 years partially demolished without permission

A family were left “in tears” when they discovered their home of more than 80 years had been partially demolished without permission.

The home, in Malpas Road, Brockley, has been in the Pashley family since 1936, but they decided to put it on the market in January last year.

David Pashley, 72, was born in the front room of the home, and along with his siblings decided to sell the house when their father passed away.

The family quickly found a buyer but claimed the estate agent they used, Reed Rains in Brockley, handed the keys out to a party who began demolition work on the property before the completion of the sale.

The Pashley family had intended to have a farewell reunion party at the property the weekend before the completion date, which they spent hundreds of pounds planning for, only to find an “absolute nightmare” when they came to set everything up.

The family found a wall in the lounge had been destroyed, plaster hacked off other walls, curtain rails taken down and “muck everywhere”.

Mr Pashley said: “I arrived to make preparations for the party and thought ‘what on earth has happened here?’. Someone’s been in and demolished the property.”

To further the family’s concerns, it was not clear whether the property had been checked for unsafe asbestos before any work had taken place.

Mr Pashley said: “I was in tears. That house was in our family for 82 years. I was extremely upset and immediately drove to the estate agents and stormed in knowing there was nothing that could be done to save the reunion party.

“It’s caused the family untold stress. I don’t think they realise the heartache this has caused.”

The family had agreed on the exchange of contracts with the buyer and it is common for buyers to be allowed to view the property repeatedly before the completion of sale date, which is when the property purchase is finalised.

But Mr Pashley called Rains Reed “totally unprofessional” for letting another party in to do work before the completion date.

Mr Pashley said his family had been offered a “paltry” £400 by Rains Reed as compensation for the trouble.

He added that the estate agents had been invited to the family reunion party. Mr Pashley claimed the Rains Reed were now asking for their cut of the sale price, which he said he was “disgusted” by.

A spokeswoman for Reeds Rains commented: “We are sorry for the family’s distress. It was on our recommendation that they contact The Property Ombudsman – a government-approved scheme to provide independent redress in relation to disputes between consumers and property agents – to review this matter.

“Reeds Rains subsequently agreed to pay compensation as directed by The Ombudsman, as a full and final settlement, should the complainant wish to accept.

Pictured top: The Pashley family circa 1960s in the living room where a wall was partially demolished, David Pashley is farthest left (Picture: David Pashley)