Five years ago, the world was shutting down. Countries were announcing lockdowns, businesses were closing, and uncertainty was in the air. For me, that uncertainty wasn’t just about the pandemic—it was about whether I would even be able to move into my new London flat, or if I’d end up stranded without furniture in an empty apartment.
What I didn’t expect was that moving during lockdown would lead to a legal battle, an unexpected renovation journey, and a traumatic encounter with pigeons. This is the story of how I stepped into my new home and straight into a nightmare.
The Chaos of Moving During Lockdown
I had planned my move well in advance. April 7th, 2020, was the date I was set to collect the keys and finally move into my own place. But as early as March, France had already gone into lockdown, and it was clear that the UK was going to follow. The anxiety started creeping in:
- Would the storage facility I had booked remain open?
- Would the movers cancel at the last minute?
- Would I even be able to get the keys to my apartment?
No one knew the answers. Businesses themselves were unsure if they’d be allowed to operate. Every day, new restrictions were announced, making it impossible to predict if I’d even have a bed to sleep in.
In the end, I got lucky. The storage facility stayed open, and my movers—two guys running a small business—decided to keep working. Everything was on track, or so I thought.
Pigeon Horror: The Hidden Problem My Seller Didn’t Want Me to See
I arrived at my flat, accompanied by the movers. I opened the door, expecting a moment of triumph, but instead, I heard frantic flapping.
There was a pigeon inside my apartment.
I froze. I hate pigeons. I ran outside and asked one of the movers to check. He bravely stepped in, managed to chase it out, and assured me that no windows had been left open. That’s when the dread set in—how did the pigeon get in?
Then, in the kitchen, I found the answer:
- Where there had once been a washing machine, there was now pigeon droppings.
- Behind it, a hole in the wall leading to the outside—badly stuffed with plastic bags.
The previous owner had deliberately hidden the hole behind the washing machine. A few days earlier, she had pleaded with me to let her leave the washing machine behind, saying she was too weak to move it. Now it was obvious—she had wanted to cover up the pigeon problem.
I texted her immediately. She never replied.
A Legal Battle Begins: Taking My Seller to Court
I was furious. Not only was this disgusting, but it was also a health hazard. With the long Easter weekend approaching, everything was at a standstill. I contacted my solicitor, who advised me to file a small claim against her.
The cost of fixing the problem? £1,200 to:
- Clean up the pigeon droppings, which extended behind the kitchen cabinets.
- Remove a dead pigeon and eggs hidden inside the cavity.
- Properly seal the hole to prevent more birds from coming in.
I put together a detailed report with evidence. But the key moment came when I tracked down the previous tenant via Facebook. He confirmed that the problem had existed before, and that a cleaning company had even informed the seller before she sold me the flat. She had known all along.
Months later, I finally had my day in court—virtually, via video call. I won. And I was reimbursed in full.
The Lockdown Silver Lining: Home Renovation Begins
With nowhere to go and all the time in the world to stare at my walls, I decided to fast-track the renovations I had planned for later.
What I Renovated During Lockdown:
✔ Windows – Replaced them all with double glazing. Shockingly, despite lockdown, I had no issue getting workers to do the job. ✔ Kitchen – A beautiful custom renovation, though the contractor took two months instead of one week to finish it. ✔ Bathroom Updates – Made improvements to the existing layout. ✔ Shelving & Decor – I even bought a drill and installed my own shelves for the first time!
The biggest challenge? Deliveries.
Lockdown meant that many delivery drivers were only doing doorstep drop-offs. I had a washing machine and a 60kg IKEA bed dumped on the pavement, leaving me to struggle carrying heavy boxes alone up to my flat. When I asked one driver for help, he literally asked me where my husband was.
Looking Back: The Nightmare Turned Into a Home
When I think back to moving into my flat during lockdown, I still feel a mix of stress and pride.
- I learned to stand up for myself legally and successfully sued the seller.
- I discovered that renovations take twice as long as promised but are worth the effort.
- I made my flat cozy and welcoming, a space that is now perfect for guests on Airbnb.
Today, I love my flat. But every now and then, when I walk into my kitchen, I still remember the smell of pigeon droppings and the terror of that first day. And yes—I’m still traumatized by pigeons.
Now, when I go back to Carcassonne and have to clean some pigeon droppings in my garden, at least I know I can face it. But I’m bringing a pressure washer this time.
Final Thoughts: If I Could Go Back in Time…
If I could tell my past self one thing, it would be this:
- Don’t be afraid to take legal action when someone is dishonest. The process is easier than people think.
- Renovate sooner rather than later—lockdown forced me to make my home exactly how I wanted it.
- Never trust a seller who is too eager to leave something behind.
Five years later, I can laugh about it. But at the time? It was a nightmare.
City Escape Collection 
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