My home had a squatter for 5 years – when I finally took her to court I was bullied out of £50k & nearly left homeless
Share:
A SINGLE mum has told how her house was taken over by a squatter for five years - and claimed she was "bullied" out of nearly £50,000. Alexis Cusenza represented herself, while the rogue occupant was afforded legal aid to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds.
![[Alexis Cusenza at her cottage near Watford]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/alexis-cusenza-rental-cottage-near-956562263.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Alexis, 51, said she was being threatened with having to foot the bill by the opposing legal team during the hearing in October and agreed to sign a court order foregoing around £30,000 rent arrears owed. She even had to pay E.ON the £18,300 energy bill the squatter had racked up in order to get her keys back, as per a court document seen by The Sun.
![[Alexis said there is plenty of repair work to be done]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/alexis-cusenza-rental-cottage-near-956562097.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Mum-of-two Alexis told us: “They had me over a barrel - I didn’t want to sign it but that was the only way I was going to get my house back.”. She claims the squatter - who had originally been a legitimate renter before refusing to pay rent or bills - was able to call on the services of a “top London barrister”.
![[Damp has leaked through the ceiling, meaning it will need to be cut out]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/alexis-cusenza-rental-cottage-near-956561933.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
She said: “It petrified me and I thought I could lose my whole house over this. I just have to settle and, unfortunately, the settlement was the electricity bill and me waiving the arrears.”. Alexis said the house itself is in much need of work, which will cost her thousands, including a massive damp patch where the ceiling needs cutting out and replastering.
![[Alexis said she's been nearly made bankrupt trying to get the house back]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/alexis-cusenza-rental-cottage-near-956562088.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
