We hated our neighbour’s car graveyard – it was confiscated but he got them back

FUMING neighbours say their lives were made hell by a rat-infested car graveyard whose owner refused to clear it up.

For years, eccentric businessman Rein Perens had cars including a £25,000 66 Porsche 911 and £20,000 1996 Mercedes C200 rusting in his garden.

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Neighbours in Pontcanna, Cardiff, were livid as the mess brought rats to their affluent suburb and the council failed to clear it up.

To add insult to injury, Rein, 75, was never there, instead choosing to live at a caravan park six miles away.

Do YOU know about this car graveyard or have one near you? Get in touch: [email protected]

His car collection sparked interest from dealers all over the UK and one even turned up on his doorstep with a chequebook in his hand.

The fleet of German cars were finally removed but it left Rein furious.

A neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We are happy the cars have gone – it was a terrible eyesore and there was a real rodent problem.

“We all felt sorry for the gentleman who was just very disorganised.”

But following Cardiff Council’s seizure of the cars, Rein has now taken back ownership of the fleet, worth in excess of £50,000.

He was last living at the seaside Porthkerry Caravan park in Barry, but has since left and his whereabouts along with his car collection are a mystery.

One caravan dweller told The Sun: “He drove a big Mercedes car while he was here and he was a popular figure.

“But he’s off site now and no one knows where he’s gone.”

His neighbours in Cardiff are now demanding him to come back and sort out the crumbling three-storey house where the cars once lived.

A neighbour told The Sun: “It’s a shame because the house used to be the best in the street but no one’s lived there for years and it’s falling apart.”

Rein claimed the stress of “threatening” letters from Cardiff Council caused him to suffer a bleed on the brain earlier this year.

The council removed the vehicles using pest control legislation after reports that the car graveyard was crawling with rats.

Rein said at the time: “The letters I found threatening, but until this point I felt I was managing things nicely and I didn’t think there was any need for the council to get involved in this way

“I’ve never shouted or bawled at the council for the way I feel they’ve treated me. I have just carried on.

“I’d organised to clear the place, pass it on to the Chinese church next door and I’d be gone. But I am 75, I am alone, and it isn’t easy.”

A Cardiff Council spokesman confirmed Mr Perens had reclaimed the cars and their inquiries about the ownership of the house had established he was not the registered owner.

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