Glen Elmy, a 54-year-old foundry worker from Walsall, has come under the spotlight following reports that he left the luxury home he won through a competition after only three days. The property, known as Stealth House, is valued at £3 million and is located on the North Devon coast within Exmoor National Park, offering stunning ocean views and an infinity pool. Elmy won the house in October 2021 after purchasing a £25 ticket bundle for the Omaze property giveaway.

Elmy’s initial excitement was palpable, as he expressed his astonishment at winning the house, stating, “I’m totally gobsmacked. The only thing we’ve ever won before was three pounds at a bingo night on holiday. We absolutely love the house – if I could have designed one from scratch, it would look just like this – it’s like something from a Bond film,” as reported by The Sentinel. He described the winning moment as life-changing for his family, especially following personal tragedies, including his wife’s loss of her father to Covid and their son’s recent redundancy.

Despite his enthusiasm, reports emerged suggesting that Elmy’s stay at the property was short-lived. Allegations indicated that he left the residence after just three days, potentially due to concerns over coastal erosion affecting the home’s site near the cliff edge, which is approximately two metres from a steep drop. A source, speaking to Mail Online, noted that he had initially planned to stay for a week but departed early, leaving the keys with Omaze and asking for the cash equivalent of the house’s value instead.

Local residents have raised questions about Elmy’s near-invisible presence in the house since the win, with one anonymous neighbour commenting, “I never see anybody going in or out since the win. There is all sorts of speculation that it can’t be insured because of how close it’s been built to the sea and on the cliff edge.” This sentiment was echoed by others who mentioned problems with coastal erosion along the area, despite the lack of any official confirmation of insurance difficulties.

In response to the surfacing concerns, an Omaze spokesperson firmly stated that extensive surveys and inspections were conducted prior to purchasing Stealth House, which revealed no material issues related to coastal erosion. The spokesperson confirmed, “the property is fully insurable,” countering the claims of a precarious location.

Elmy’s experience is not isolated; it follows a pattern seen in other cases involving Omaze winners. For instance, 74-year-old June Smith opted to sell her newly won six-bedroom home in Fowey, Cornwall, after only one visit, with complaints likening it to a “fishbowl.” Similarly, another winner, Uttam Parmar, reportedly left his lavish Cornish home within eight weeks citing complications.

Yet, there are stories of success amid the challenges. Last year, 24-year-old Lauren Keene made headlines as the youngest winner in the competition’s history. She expressed her joy at winning a five-bedroom property, stating, “The house is unreal! It really does feel like something you’d find in the Hollywood Hills! It’s made for parties,” according to the Birmingham Mail.

As Omaze prepares for its next property draw, participants look ahead to the chance of winning a Georgian townhouse in the fashionable Borough area of London, offered at £4.5 million, with striking views of The Shard. For a £10 entry fee, hopefuls will have 15 chances to win this appealing residential opportunity.

Source: Noah Wire Services