i have just seen this has come again to the top of the discussion. i haven't been on here for ages. to many bad memories and sad memories.
but i thought i would update as people have been asking.

this is mine and my families life. it is truthful and from my heart as i have always said how i feel.

We have had 2 long term renters in since we moved back - our neighbors looked after our house.

before the 2nd family moved in (a good Christian family that goes to Church every week) as i was told (not sure why religion had to raise its head) we put down new carpets, repainted and cleaned (thanks to my neighbors) they moved in as my neighbors went to the same church and said they were good and decent people. I was slightly concerend as they had 6 children.
Anyhow they couldn't afford the deposit and change over to the utilities, i agreed to help out and said the deposit could be paid over 2 months. and i would keep the utilities in my name for 2 months until they could put it in their names. they would pay for what ever they used.
they received a government check each month that exceeded the rent - and for the first couple of months the rent was paid on time. then it was a couple of weeks late, i would email them and ask what date we would receive it. i explained to them that the utilites would be taken out of my name in February (they moved in, in November) they agreed to this, and i waited for the remainder of the money which i asked for many times.
we had an email from them saying the the stove wasn't working, i said that as soon as the rent was paid for the previous month i would get a new one (as they had already had the gas company out) they didn't pay the rent. so i didn't get a stove. (which we found out later that one of their son's had issues and would pee in the oven when he didn't get his own way) maybe that was why it didn't work!
they wouldn't answer the phone, wouldn't reply to emails, so our neighbors would check up on the house.
In June 09 i sent them an email saying that if the rent wasn't paid they would really have to move out. they owed over $4,000. they sent an email back saying i was the worst landlord, and they were moving out. they moved out 2 weeks later.

we had some fantastic english friends that i asked to go round to make sure it was locked up about a week later. this is where the fun starts.
the front door was locked, he went round the back - all the patio doors were open and the windows, the smell of urine was over powering. there were maggots in the fridge with food both in the fridge and freezer. MY HOUSE was wrecked.

OMG why would people do this. Since September hubby has stopped paying the mortgage as he doesn't want the house (although i do) anyhow it came to a head this week when i couldn't ignore the constant calls from the mortgage company. i spoke to them, and explained the situation. i then decided that i'm not going to let the mortgage company take my house away from us, and said i would find the £1000 that is owed since September to pay the mortgage. i told my hubby that he had to go to florida and get the house cleaned up and ready so that we can rent it again - although we are trying so hard to sell it. he is going out for 32 days to sort our house out, on his own as i couldn't go as the kids need to go to school etc. he needs help. we need help.

we are still renting and we would never treat this house as a trash hole. why would people treat our house so disgusting beggers belief.

we have nearly lost everything due to wanting a new life in florida and i am not prepared to lose our house, our 1 last investment that we have because of a family that had no respect for other peoples property.

i am not after sympathy its hard enough. with tears in my eyes i am not going to fail at everything.

if anyone has any of the following in florida that hubby could borrow (i) would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

steps to get to the ceiling,
ride on lawn mower
gas strimmer
general tools like screwdrivers, plyers,