HOMEOWNERS hoping to cash in on the Olympic tourism boom by asking staggering five-figure weekly rents have been left empty-handed.

Potential landlords from across the district rushed to rent out their properties during the games – with some asking up to £20,000 per week.

But estate agents and potential landlords say the promised flood of tenants has failed to materialise.

Paul Quatremain, a director of estate agents Kurtis Property, said he had received considerable interest from homeowners looking to let – but had not placed a single tenant.

He said: “We had lots of people that wanted to rent out, but there just wasn’t the demand.”

According to listings on rental site Rightmove, properties yet to be filled include a five-bedroomed detached house in Spareleaze Hill, Loughton – on the market for £20,000 per week.

Also on offer is a nine-bed mansion in Forest Lane, Chigwell, complete with half an acre of land, games room and detached garage, for £14,000 per week.

A six-bedroomed house in the gated community of Regents Drive, Chigwell, will cost tenants £31,416 for the month – but includes 24-hour concierge service.

“For the prices that some of these people were looking for, you could almost have a suite in the Dorchester,” said Mr Quatremain.

“There was always talk the games were going to have a massive effect on the housing market, but it’s ridiculous because the Olympics last for such a short time.”

The company has stopped taking Olympic rentals and now only has five on its books.

Ann Selby, 43, said she has ‘not had one phone call’ since advertising her five-bedroomed house in Farm Hill Road, Waltham Abbey, for £2,500 a week.

“I’m just hoping maybe a white water rafting team might want to move in at the last minute,” she said.

Barbara Clancey, 54, has also failed to find a taker for her £2,500-a-week three-bed house in Thatchers Close, Loughton.

She said: “I’ve got no response whatsoever. No phone calls, no emails.”

Even more modest asking prices are failing to attract tenants – Anita Coombes, 57, is offering a double bedroom in her Buckhurst Hill home for £750 per week.

She said: “I haven’t found anyone yet. But it’s a lot less than some of the hotels are trying to charge – some are asking £300 or £400 a night.”

But the Loughton office of lettings company Martin & Co has been more successful, finding tenants for two houses at £2,500 per week.

The company has let a property in Theydon Bois to the family of a Canadian athlete, while Lynda Welch's four-bed home in Hartland Road will become home to the parents, brothers, girlfriend and grandmother of an Australian water polo player.

Director Gary Jackson said: "Some landlords have come to us and said 'we are going to get £10,000 a week for our house'."

"This house was reasonably priced and it fitted the requirements of the people who wanted it. Our staff have been very proactive at trying to match customers' requirements."

Owner Lynda added: "At the end of the day, we didn't want anyone coming over to feel completely ripped off."

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