A DAD-of-four has been told he’s “trespassing” on land he’s been using as his garden for 20 years.
Marcus Jeanton, from London, could face charges if he sees through plans to build on the land after a court ruled it’s owned by Brent Council.
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But the family’s tenancy agreement states their property has exclusive use of the “side and rear” garden.
Two property assessors also included the space in their valuations as part of a ‘right to buy’ application.
Brent Council however insists they own of the land, leaving Marcus, who has lived in the home since 2002, feeling confused and stressed.
He had built a permanent gazebo and a specialist shed for their disable daughter on the land, MyLondon reports.
Marcus told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the family don’t understand how the council can claim the land out of nowhere.
He said: “They told us in 2009 that we had to better maintain the area as it had become overgrown.
“We’ve done so ever since, putting in timber posts and fencing. Then we suddenly get this letter saying they want to build here and we’re left thinking ‘what’s going to happen to the garden?’”
Marcus now wants to contest the decision assigning ownership to Brent Council and has invited council representatives to discuss the decision, but has been ignored.
The family has forked out thousands in legal fees and Marcus feels a duty to ensure his two-bedroom home is valued properly.
Marcus said: “I just want to keep this as a nice place for my family and I to live in, and keep the garden we have built and were told is ours.
“Going through the ‘Right to Buy’ process, applying for a mortgage, getting it approved, it can be stressful and time consuming.”
“And to be told we would have to go through it all again and that we might lose access to the garden doesn’t seem right.
It feels like our garden is being taken away and attached to another property the council is building because, legally, they have to have a garden.”
A Brent Council spokesperson said: “The disputed land is owned by the council and not by the residents of Longley Avenue.
“Their claim to it was dismissed by the courts only recently. The space, when developed, will provide a much needed four-bedroom council property, providing a family a safe, secure home.”
