“SNOBBY” neighbours have slammed a TikTok couple for selling their flat via a RAFFLE – insisting they don’t want “riff raff” to win.
Nick and Jess Smith, known as The Smithy Family, renovated a three-bed flat and are plan to raffle it off to their six million social media followers in March.
They aim to sell a minimum of 65,000 tickets at £3 per entry and the winner will even get £10,000 to help with decorating the property in a mid-Devon village.
But on Wednesday the social media stars – who have four million followers on TikTok alone – claimed they found a poison pen letter outside the property.
It argues selling the property via raffle is “wholly inappropriate for an established village such as ours’ as the area is ‘not an experiment or a marketing exercise”.
It explains residents “do not want the area opened up to riff raff or opportunists who see the property as a prize rather than a place to live”.
The letter ends by asking former builder Nick, 38, and Jess, 35, to ditch their plans and sell the property in the “traditional” way that the villagers “expect”.
The Smithy Family’s Facebook post explained the negative reaction has been “really upsetting” due to “assumptions made about our intentions and the kind of person who might one day live there”.
They insist the sale is about “giving someone a life-changing chance” to get on the housing ladder.
They hit back at residents to say “no one has the right to decide where someone should live”.
The flat is said to boast “stunning countryside views”, a “modern, spacious” design complete with a new roof and flooring.
Nick said: “This isn’t about controversy or headlines.
“It’s about building something meaningful over time and using what we do to create real, long term impact for people who genuinely need it.
“We know not everyone will immediately understand the approach, but the end goal is what matters.
“If this helps even one person find safety, stability, and a fresh start, then it’s worth it.”
The Smithy Family’s Facebook post said: “We didn’t expect to be feeling like this today but here we are.
“We’ve read some negative comments, messages, and even received a letter about what we’re doing with the flat, and if we’re honest, it’s been really upsetting.
“Not because everyone has to agree with us, they don’t, but because of the assumptions being made about our intentions and about the kind of person who might one day live there.
“This isn’t a gimmick. It’s not a joke. And it’s definitely not about attention or trying to be controversial.
“It’s about giving someone a chance. A real, life-changing chance.
“In a housing market where so many people feel completely locked out, we wanted to do something that opens a door instead of keeping it shut.
“The hardest part to read, especially in the letter, was the idea that people think they get to decide who does or doesn’t deserve to live somewhere.
“No one has the right to decide where someone else should live, or whether they’re ‘good enough’ to be there.”
Some social media users were appalled by the letter and said it was a ‘kind thing’ that the family were doing – while others pointed out it was a raffle that they would ‘profit’ from.
One commented: “Totally agree Nick anyone could have brought it. Just locals being snobs.”
A second said: “Just shred it and pretend you never received it. Do what you intended to do and carry on with the raffle.”
THE FULL LETTER FROM FURIOUS NEIGHBOURS
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are writing on behalf of a number of neighbours and long-standing residents of the village to formally raise our concerns regarding the proposal to raffle off the flat.
It’s come to our attention that the property is being offered via a raffle rather than through a conventional sale.
We strongly disagree with this approach and feel it is wholly inappropriate for an established village such as ours.
This is a settled community with a strong sense of identity.
Many residents have lived here for decades and take pride in maintaining the character, safety, and standards of the area.
Opening the property up in this way risks attracting individuals with no genuine connection to the village and little regard for the community as a whole.
There is already a growing feeling among residents that the influx of people relocating from London has placed pressure on village life, and this proposal only heightens those concerns.
There is growing concern about the wider impact this could have on the village.
Turning homes into raffle prizes risks shifting the area toward novelty and short term interest rather than stable, long term residency.
Many neighbours feel this undermines the values of the community and opens the door to individuals who may not respect the character, privacy, or standards of the village.
We don’t want the area opened up to riff raff or opportunists who see the property as a prize rather than a place to live.
This village is not an experiment or a marketing exercise.
It is a place where people live, raise families, and look out for one another.
We respectfully urge you to reconsider this proposal and reflect on the impact it may have on the wider community.
A traditional and transparent sale would be far more in keeping with the nature of the village and the expectations of its residents.
Yours faithfully,
Your concerned neighbours
On behalf of the neighbouring residents
