The family of a British architect who left his home to the National Trust claim they’ve been ‘forced out’ after the rent was hiked and opening hours slashed.
Owletts in Cobham, near Gravesend, Kent, and five cottages on and around the 28-acre estate, were bequeathed by Sir Herbert Baker after he died in 1946.
His family claim he left a memorandum including a condition that members of the Baker family could live there at a reduced rent for as long as they wished.
But National Trust has now hiked the rent for the main house from £1,700 a month to £3,500, it’s claimed, forcing Sir Herbert’s great-grandson David Baker, and his wife to move out.
David’s sister Camilla Baker, 47 who still lives in another property in the grounds fears her £1,100 rent will go up at the next review.
And under the new lease any new tenant of the main house could get away with only opening it to the public for two days a year, compared to the 24 plus private visits previously.
Business owner Camilla says her great-grandfather would be “horrified”. Camilla said: “My great grandfather would be horrified if he knew what the Trust was doing.
“Herbert dedicated a lot of his life to the National Trust and was very passionate about Owletts. He was born there and it’s a great example of architecture that he was keen to preserve for as long as possible.
“The family wouldn’t have been able to keep the house going alone with the heating and maintenance costs, that’s why he left it to the trust.
“My grandfather, my father and my brother have all since taken on the tenancy.”
She added: “From 2013 to 2019 we were open for 24 days a year as well as opening the house to numerous pre-booked groups tours.
“I want Owletts to be full of people and life again – it has sat hollow and empty for a summer while the garden grows wild.
“Is this what Sir Herbert gave his legacy for? To be a cash cow for a charity that does nothing for local people?”
The home, built in 1683 includes architectural influences of Sir Herbert Baker, who was born and died in the house, as well as Carolean plasterwork and stained glass windows. The other cottages around the property are rented out to non family members.
The National Trust has put a house sitter in the house to look after it until they find a more permanent tenant. Prior to the pandemic, the Grade II* listed building was open every Sunday between April and September, Camilla said.
She claims reducing it to two days a year is what has allowed the Trust to raise the rent. The Baker family has launched a petition opposing the reduced access which has been signed by over 5,000 people.
Richard Henderson, National Trust director in Kent, said: “We would never discuss a lease agreement between a tenant and the Trust publicly.
“What we can say is that the tenancy for Owletts as advertised includes a requirement to open for a minimum of two days per year, with the specific number of days dependent on the final outcomes of discussions with the new tenant, once appointed.
“We will then be able to publicise the opening arrangements for 2024. Owletts is a special place which is why the National Trust took it on in the first place.
“The specifics of the tenancy agreement will ensure its unique heritage and collection is maintained and cared for, as it always has been.”
