Home / Lifestyle / Reality Star's HMO Threat Stirs Neighbor Fury
Reality Star's HMO Threat Stirs Neighbor Fury
12 Mar
Summary
- TV star threatened to house migrants or prisoners.
- Neighbors fear increased parking and reduced light.
- Council meeting scheduled for March 24 to discuss application.
A property developer and reality TV personality, Reuben Wincott, has sparked outrage among neighbors in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Wincott, known from the show 'Handcuffed,' faces opposition to his plan to convert a house into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for eight people.
Neighbors have shared messages where Wincott allegedly threatened to rent the property to migrants or individuals recently released from prison if they continued to fight his HMO application. He reportedly stated that this would be an easier and more profitable business model.
The property, formerly owned by an elderly woman, was initially approved for a six-person HMO. Wincott's new application seeks to increase this to eight. Residents cite concerns about parking congestion, reduced natural light, and a change in the neighborhood's family-oriented character.
A council meeting scheduled for March 24 is set to discuss the controversial application, which has already garnered 27 objections and a petition from concerned locals. Wincott defends HMOs as affordable housing, stating that his actions are a response to neighborly "threats" to his development efforts.
