AIBU to think this intimidating house buying letter should be reported to police?

HMOs are usually houses for immigrants who are receiving UC to pay the rent

I think the letter's aggressive tone has gone past this. Even (reaching here) the tone is unintentional, it needs putting a stop to.

I think one of the big issues with downsizing to a two bedroom house is that it doesn't just eliminate your spare bedrooms, you also lose your dining room, utility and half your kitchen, three quarters of your garden.

Not to mention that if they are going to upend their lives (do remember when you are old and vulnerable, familiarity such as your home and neighbours becomes more important) then they quite rightly want to move to a house that will at least be useful to their stage of life, like a bunglaow.

So with those things in mind, why would somebody want to pay a load of stamp duty to move and release money they may not need until they both move into a care home. They aren't likely to independently put it in inflation beating investments, so their capital will erode away eating into the money their children will inherit. (I'm Not starting a debate on rights and wrongs of inheritance).

this. I know quite a few young adults who live in HMO's for many reasons. None of them are on benefits and most of them earn comfortable amounts but want to spend their money on other things or need to be somwhere to advance their career but where they can't afford to buy or don't want to stay.

Just tell them not to answer the door.
Or get a ring doorbell and communicate through that if someone turns up.
Its easy to find out who lives at an address via Electoral roll.
Some people do put letters through doors if they want to buy a house on a particular street. It's not always a scam.
Only a police matter if the person turns up and is aggressive etc. Its not against the law to ask someone if they want to sell their house.

Glad you posted this reply. My local police force would definitely take this seriously to and may have someone at the address waiting.

Potentially triangulate it with similar issues taking place locally. Noone is suggesting ringing 999, but stuff like this is EXACTLY what online reporting was designed for.

Given they are elderly and vulnerable plus scared by it i would report it to the police. I also would be telling them to not answer the door and if the person starts hammering the door phone 999. Is there anyone who could be with them? I would say its borderline harassment as someone is planning to turn up on Thursday to try force them into selling there properly.

I’d phone the police, explain and ask if there’s a scam going on - if others have experienced the same

the outline planning permission thing without ownership is true. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/how-to-apply/who-can-apply

I wanted to correct the point that all HMO rooms are paid for the taxpayer. Sorry, I know it's not the point of the thread.

I live in an area with too many HMOs but most of them are occupied by:
Young graduate professionals starting their careers
'Divorced Dads' or otherwise single men on low to moderate incomes but working full time.
Students.

None of these people would qualify for benefits of any kind. With the exception of students, they probably live in them because of a shortage of 1 bed accommodation and 2 bed accommodation costing about 60% of one full time pre tax minimum wage income in rent alone.

For what? No crime has been committed. Just chuck it away and if he turns up, tell him the house is not for sale, its none if his business what size house they live in and to fuck off.

If I got a letter like this, even though I am quite capable of dealing with arrogant little shits, I'd still talk to the police via 101 because the might try the same thing on a more vulnerable person. I too often get letters along the lines of "people want to buy houses in this street" or more personally stuff like "I have a client who wonders if you want to sell" As I said, nothing directly to my name but I am not listed on the public electoral roll.
To be clear, i would not expect police to be rushing out to the house, but how will the know what scams are going on in their area unless they are told? Additionally you don't know how many other people have received similar latters and with no contact details on the letter this may be a chance to get hold of the person doing this and put a stop to it.
My last point is a bit of a stretch but can the people think of anyone who might have done this as a joke? I have seen similar letters on social media presented as "here is a funny thing you could do to someone" The most common one was about having a house large enought to take in Ukranian refugees.

The government should take off stamp duty for people downsizing then, there should be incentives and also available bungalows etc built.

I'm sure I read somewhere that you don't have to be the home owner (or get their permission) to apply for outline planning permission on a plot/property.

Then there are the scams where gangs look at the probate announcements and falsify wills in their benefit before the real beneficiaries even realise their relative has died. People will unfortunately pray on the elderly and the deceased in a very calculated, organised and brutal manner.

If anybody is interested try Grave Robbers which is I think a BBC podcast.

Definitely report it. Can the hulking brother be there just before 11 to answer the door?

I'd treat this as a safeguarding issue, personally, so yes I would call either the council or the police non-emergency line for advice and to make them aware. It's likely that others are being targeted in the same way and may not have friendly neighbours to confide in.

No. Of course not.

no one is ever encouraged to intimate & state a time they will be turning up to discuss it.

You or your friend could ring Age UK for advice. They wouldn't be able to send anyone in person but may be keeping a log of these incidents and be able to give sensible advice and reassurance i.e. don't open the door.

Get your friend to suggest or help the couple put their property on the land registry alert system

Yes!! 😊

the police are there for allsorts of reasons, and if the elderly couple feel a little more at peace by reporting the letter to the police, then report it.

if there has been one other person who felt intimidated and reported it, it will flag up.

once reported, forget about and carry on with your life

You too are wrong!

my local police definitely want to be told about this kind of thing & do what they can to stop it.