HE has been living in a tent on the forecourt of a closed Alton pub for six weeks, but 34-year-old Paul Rose says he has the money to rent and all he needs is to meet a landlord willing to offer him a place.

Paul says he has tried to rent a room or a flat through two estate agents in the town – they charged him separate fees of £200 and £175 to cover their search fees – but then told him he can’t rent privately because he has no credit rating.

“Which,” said Paul, “makes it a no-win situation.”

He said: “I have savings to pay rent and I am also now getting benefits. I can afford food and keep buying clothes as I can’t wash the ones I am wearing, but I can’t get anywhere with local estate agents or letting agencies.

“I need to talk to a landlord and show him or her I have money and all I need is a place where I can wash and cook.

“Living on the streets is affecting my health as it is very cold, and I have to rely on takeaways, which isn’t healthy, and I can’t sleep because of the noise of the traffic.”

Paul is also the victim of abuse and vandalism.

“I get spat on and people throw eggs at me, and one night my tent was vandalised. Someone came in when I was out and jumped on it and broke the pole. I had trouble getting it back up but I can still use it.”

Originally from Herefordshire, Paul moved to the Alton area when he took up a job as manager of the Queen’s Hotel in Selborne four years ago, but when he left he moved away. He returned to Alton to manage The Hop Poles pub, which he lived in.

When the pub closed he spent some time in Weymouth, Dorset, but returned seven weeks ago on the promise of a job, but it fell through and, unable to find anywhere to live, he set up home in his tent at Flood Meadows.

“But the town council moved me on and that is why I am in the High Street. East Hampshire District Council helped by putting me in touch and giving me the rail fare, first with a homeless charity in Petersfield who couldn’t help but referred me to Winchester, but I don’t want to live in a hostel with drunks and drug addicts.

“I want to stay in Alton as I have friends here who sometimes take me in for the night. Also, I have met with kindness as I have been given two duvets and people leave food for me but, although I am very grateful, I don’t need it as I have money to buy my own.”

With both parents now dead and being unable to trace his brother in Ireland, Paul often feels “very alone” and does get depressed.

“That is why my friends in Alton, especially the staff at The Wheatsheaf, are so important to me,” he said.

Paul got so desperate one night that he booked himself into a hotel for a night “just to see what it was like to sleep in a bed again and be able to shower”.

More recently, he even rang the police.

“I told them to arrest me as I would be better off in jail where at least I would have shelter and a bed, but they said they couldn’t as I hadn’t done anything wrong.”

To prove he has the savings, which he keeps safely in the bank, Paul is about to spend £2,500 to get his HGV licence as he likes driving and knows that once he gets it he will be able to get a job.

“I’m a Jack of all trades,” he said. “I have been a chef, a driver and a pub manager. I don’t do drugs or drink and all I need is to meet a landlord face to face to put my case and prove I have the rental money and I would be a good tenant. Can anyone help me?”

A town letting agent said: “Without a credit rating it would be difficult, but also he would have to have an address. He might find a landlord might give him a room if he was willing to pay the first six months rental, but this would be expensive. Renting a bedsit with a bathroom would probably cost £650 and upward.”

If you can help, call Paul on 07498 082974.