An 87-year-old woman from Lemiers in Limburg who owned substantial real estate in nearby Vaals has left most of it to her tenants in her will.

According to the Telegraaf, Anneliese Houppermans, who earned her money from a successful fruit and vegetable business, owned several houses in the community. She never married or had children, and her ties to her family had faded over the years.

One happy new owner is father of two Bram Brekelmans, who sold his house to the woman following his divorce four years ago.

Brekelmans, a classroom assistant, then asked if he could rent the house from her. “I met her just the once so we didn’t really know each other at all. And then to be given it. That there are such people in a world where you have be brazen to get ahead is heartwarming,” he told the Telegraaf.

The house, which Brekelmans sold cheaply in exchange for the tenancy, would fetch closer to €290,000 if sold today. “I only have to pay €75,000 in inheritance tax which I have turned into a mortgage. I have effectively been given €200,000, it’s great,” he said.

“The who village is buzzing with it,” said Brekelmans, who was told by the notary in charge of the woman’s estate “he had a whole list to get through”.  “I hear she may have had up to 16 properties and had no direct family. They are all going to the tenants. It’s mindboggling.”

Brekelmans said he has no plans to sell his house. “On the contrary, I have done my best to keep it.”