A kind-hearted Shirebrook landlord helped an elderly tenant return to his home country to be with his terminally ill wife.

Zbigniew Pawlowski, 74, came to the UK from Poland to work in a sports warehouse to pay for his wife’s cancer treatment.

His plight only came to light when the rented house he was living in was bought as an investment property by NHS reconstructive surgeon Paul Malone.

The property required extensive repairs and redecoration, but Zbigniew, who speaks little English, was reluctant to move out temporarily, fearing that he would lose the one link to his wife in Poland — a daily Skype call.

Purseglove Property Management, a Kirkby-based property lettings and management specialist, which manages the multiple occupancy house on behalf of Paul, tracked down Zbigniew’s son, Kamil Pawlowski, who is also working in this country.

Kamil was able to reassure him the move was temporary and that he would still have WiFi access.

“My father left everything to move to the UK to rescue my mum, and he did it again to come back to Poland,” explained Kamil.

“He spent five years in the UK, and the whole five years he worked only on nightshifts. Nevertheless, he always made time to shop, cook, and call home.

“Everything he earned, he sent home. He lived very modestly. He always took overtime and only travelled home once or twice a year. It was a hard time for my father.”

On hearing about Zbigniew’s plight, landlord Paul made a kind gesture, refunding all rent that Zbigniew had paid since Paul took ownership of the property — around three months’ rent.

ABOVE: Richard and Gemma Purseglove, left, of Purseglove Property Management, with Paul Malone at the property in Shirebrook.

Paul said: “When I discovered what Zbigniew was going through, my heart went out to him.

“I didn’t want to profit from his misfortune, so refunding his rent was a little gesture that I hope in some way gives him a warm feeling about his time in the UK while he has been going through such a horrible experience separated from his wife.”

Gemma Purseglove, director of Purseglove Property Management, added: “We pride ourselves on caring for all our tenants so to be able to work with a landlord like Paul is amazing.

“He absolutely shares our values as a business that all tenants deserve safe, comfortable and well-maintained homes at affordable prices.

“Although Paul considered the refunding of the rent a small gesture, we know it made a huge difference in Zbigniew’s life as he is now home in Poland with his wife.”

Kamil added: “My parents love each other very much. My mum is still fighting and has a strong will.”

Paul, who now lives in Chelmsford, Essex was working at Nottingham University Hospital when he bought the property in Shirebrook.

He said: “As a doctor I have moved a lot in my career — eight cities in 15 years — buying a home in each one in which to live while working there.

“Along the way I have become an accidental landlord and now have eight rental properties, which I consider are my children’s future.”

Since buying the seven-bedroom property in Shirebrook, Paul has made substantial investment and refurbished it to a high standard with a new roof, kitchen, bathrooms and full redecoration throughout.

Purseglove Property Management oversaw the three-month refurbishment programme and ensured all the tenants had alternative accommodation while the work was being undertaken. All the tenants have moved back into the property since the refurbishment.

Paul added: “Feeling safe and secure in your home is so important. That’s why working with specialists like Purseglove Property Management is important to me.

“If a tenant has a problem or something is broken, they put it right straightaway.”