Squatters living in a six-bedroom house now OWN the property after proving they improved the property
The group discovered the abandoned six bedroom house in 2003
SQUATTERS who moved into a large riverside home with stunning views 13 years ago now officially own it - after proving they have IMPROVED the property.
The group discovered the abandoned six bedroom house in 2003 while searching for somewhere to create a cultural centre, and started living there illegally.
But when representatives from South West Water, which owned the building, arrived to evict them, the group were granted permission to stay on the basis they were carrying out repairs to the derelict home.
And after a long stay as tenants, they have bought the impressive property - known as The Cottage - and associated land and buildings for £300,000 on the picturesque Pendennis Headland in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Mortgage payments and bills for the nine residents, who are part of a 'housing co-operative', work out at just £320-a-month.
Jef Smith, the only squatter still remaining from the original group, said that despite it being "black and foreboding" they could see the potential.
Within a few months of moving in, they started paying £800-a-month rent - around £133 per room - and invested thousands of man hours on improving it.
Over the years, the group has spent around £15,000 transforming the home, painting all six bedrooms, and redoing the plumbing so the grey water goes off site.
Jef added despite initial hostility from the water company, the turning point was being spotted on the roof fixing tiles.
He said: "I don't like the term squatters. We reclaimed it. It was boarded up for seven years.
"There are so many groups of people who are squeezed out. This is a housing and social resource for the town."
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The Spiral Collective Housing Co-operative, created in 2003, was the first co-operative to open in Cornwall in 43 years, with one other in Looe, and has now secured a loan to get its mortgage and ensure its future at the property.
Jef added: "It is a hell of a relief, The future is really exciting. It will take two years or more to fully restore it. It is certainly a hidden gem.
"It is stunningly built and it has got so much character and potential."
Tim van Berkel, who moved in two years ago, said: “Over the years many people have come and gone. They tend to stay for two to four years.
"One resident is pregnant and that’s a very positive sign for the future.”
The six bedroom brick-built house is understood to have been built in 1926 for docks manager Captain Bartlett, who asked for a house to be built near his place of work.
It is currently home to nine adults between 21 and 49 whose occupations range from flag-maker and writer to gardener and seaweed harvester.
The house has played host to the start of many projects, and collectively over the years has raised £17,000 for charity.
Meanwhile, it hosts live music events and workshops which have been used by several start-up businesses.
The cottage is also a gathering place for artists, writers, carpenters, filmmakers, foragers, gardens, poets, teachers and business people, said the collective.
Resident Emma Abel said: "I was living in a caravan which was hard, then I came here. It's really nice.
"To be able to buy the house is a relief and exciting. This is an amazing opportunity."
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