Artists Eviction Anquish

Carter Jonas

Hundreds have signed a petition in support of an artist who first heard she was being evicted from her home during a supermarket chat.

Kim Tillyer has rented her two two-bedroom North York Moors cottage, near Osmotherley, from the Snilesworth Estate for 14 years.

But the mother-of-two only learned of the eviction when she bumped into an acquaintance in the supermarket who mentioned she had heard she was moving.

She contacted the land agent, who manages the cottage on behalf of the Snilesworth Estate trustees, who confirmed she was indeed being evicted and was being served notice to quit.

More than 700 people have already signed an online petition urging the estate to think again.

Ms Tillyer, who has always paid her rent promptly and has spent years creating a beautiful garden, said:

“I was really on the point of collapse when I found out.“It’s just so upsetting. I was on good terms with the trustees of the house. I went up to the lodge with a jar of jam and literally begged; ‘please don’t make me homeless’.”

The artist moved into the cottage in 2000 with her son and daughter, now aged 19 and 22.

She writes a popular blog detailing life on the moors, ‘Witchmountain’, which has many world-wide followers.

“Emotionally my tie to the moors is massive,” she said.

“I’ve made virtual friends from all over the world with my blog. Every plant in the garden has a sentimental story behind it. There’s two chestnut trees I planted with my children when we moved up here. It’s just home.”

Property agents Carter Jonas, who manage the tenancy for the Snilesworth Estate, said neither they or the trustees wished to comment.

The eviction comes just over a year since a number of tenants on the former estate of Sir Lawrie Barratt in Farndale, also on the North York Moors, found they were being evicted by the two sons of the late Barratt Homes magnate. Peter and David Barratt sold their cottages to pay the inheritance tax on their late father’s £48million estate.

Housing charity Shelter says it reflected a national problem with lack of security for many tenants in rented homes.

Director of policy, Roger Harding, said: “More people have no option but to rent. Unfortunately, renting is not only expensive but offers little security, with most landlords offering short-term lets and able to evict tenants at any time.”

Source –  Northern Echo,  09 Oct 2014