Winning a luxurious property can seem like a dream come true, but for Glen Elmy, the reality quickly turned into a nightmare. After winning a £3 million home from Omaze, Elmy handed back the keys just days later due to concerns about coastal erosion threatening the property.
Elmy, a foundry worker from Walsall, won the stunning Stealth House in Devon in October 2021. The residence, with its infinity pool and sweeping coastal views, initially captivated him. “I’m totally gobsmacked. The only thing we’ve ever won before was three pounds at a Bingo night on holiday,” he remarked at the time. He described the house as “life-changing” for his family, especially following personal losses and challenges.
Yet, after spending only three days at the house, Elmy reportedly expressed concerns about its proximity to a cliff edge. According to Devon Live, the house sits merely two meters from a cliff, and Elmy decided to return the keys to Omaze, requesting the cash equivalent instead. Since that decision, he has not returned to the property, as noted by the Mirror.
A source familiar with the situation commented, “I met Mr. Elmy when he was here for the publicity. He was apparently planning to stay for a week but left after three days.” Local residents have voiced their concerns as well, with one neighbor stating, “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.”
Despite these worries, an Omaze spokesperson firmly rejected claims regarding the structural integrity of the home. “As with all its properties, Omaze carried out extensive professional surveys, searches, and inspections prior to purchasing the house in Devon,” the spokesperson said, adding that none of these reports raised concerns about coastal erosion and that the property is fully insurable.
Elmy’s experience is not an isolated incident among Omaze winners. In August 2022, Uttam Parmar and his wife Raki won a £3 million property on the Cornish coastline but were forced to leave just eight weeks later, a claim that Omaze disputes. Similarly, June Smith, who won a six-bedroom home in Fowey, Cornwall, in May 2023, opted to sell after just one visit, with locals dubbing the house a “fishbowl.”
While challenges exist, some winners have found joy in their new homes. Lauren Keene, who won a five-bedroom house resembling a Hollywood Hills estate in the Wirral, expressed her excitement, stating, “The house is unreal! It really does feel like something you’d find in the Hollywood Hills!”
As the stories of Omaze winners unfold, the contrasting experiences highlight both the allure and the potential pitfalls of winning a dream property. For Glen Elmy, what began as a fairytale has transformed into a cautionary tale.
