Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I've bought a house but the previous owner keeps coming back and trying the lock.

58 replies

LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 19:41

Basically, I bought a house with my partner nearly 2 months ago now and the previous owner keeps coming back to "drop round" keys that she has mysteriously found. We know that she has tried the lock (we changed it the day we moved in) as our neighbours have witnessed her doing so. She has also tried banging on the door when she can't get in. I have a small 3 month old daughter and am looking for advice on what I should/can do? I feel that this woman is coming round too often when she no longer even lives within 15 minutes of my home.

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 14/06/2018 19:44

She shouldn’t be coming at all so it’s not ‘too often’. What are you saying when she comes?

I’d say report her to the police for trying to break in but as the police don’t have time to attend actual burglaries then there is no point.

BlueTrousers · 14/06/2018 19:45

Whatttt?! That is so odd!
I think I’d just say something along the lines of “we’ve changed the locks so we don’t need your keys anymore, if you find more just bin them, no need to come to the house again”
Try to keep it friendly in case she turns on you (as clearly she’s already very strange!)

drumandthebass · 14/06/2018 19:47

Is she elderly and confused?

IamPickleRick · 14/06/2018 19:50

Oh god! I thought this was going to be me! I drive past the old house and always have a little peak as we go by to see what they are doing with my rose bush Blush

Pretend to be not in/tell her you don’t need the keys/say sorry now isn’t a good time and don’t answer door?

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 19:50

See both times she's come over she's then gone to the neighbours to talk for about half an hour. The first time she came I was out with my partner and daughter for food but this time I was in but busy so couldn't answer the door. When I realised it was her I went to check but she'd already gone into the neighbours. I then saw the second key that she has "dropped" off to my home.

If I spoke to the police what would happen? If anyone knows?

OP posts:
IamPickleRick · 14/06/2018 19:50

I should clarify, old house is on my way to school 😂

CraicMammy · 14/06/2018 19:51

You could ask your solicitor to have a word with her solicitor- along the lines of, any further things she wants to give you to go through them. You will have then clearly communicated with her that she should not contact you. If she does again, log with Police as harassment, you are perfectly entitled to feel safe in your home, and her behaviour is concerning and irrational. I’d avoid confronting her directly, with a LO you’ve enough on your plate!!

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 19:52

She isn't really elderly or confused..... perfectly capable of dealing with the sale of the house herself.

OP posts:
CraicMammy · 14/06/2018 19:53

On the basis of what happened on the Softzilla thread they’ll warn her not to bother you again, and if she does they’ll take action. Whilst they may not care about burglaries, they seem keen to nip weird behaviour like this in the bud.

ApolloandDaphne · 14/06/2018 19:55

How weird. She needs to get the message that you have changed the locks and don't need any further keys.

TwoGinScentedTears · 14/06/2018 19:56

Tell her that you have new locks and dont need any keys that she still has, so if she finds anymore she can bin them. And tell her you think it's strange that she keeps popping round like this and you'd like it to stop. Whilst smiling and closing the door.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 14/06/2018 19:57

You could just answer and be really short. “All keys should have been left with EA on the day of completion, why have you not complied with that? Please don’t try our lock again” shut door.

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 20:03

She also rang my personal mobile the first time to tell me about the key she left. Almost trying to cover her tracks? (If that makes sense) I've never had the chance to speak to her as I've been busy but I don't wish to speak to her in any form.

OP posts:
IamPickleRick · 14/06/2018 20:05

Our vendor was like that, she turned up at my house almost trying to smash the door down. I called the estate agent and they spoke to her but I suppose you are past that stage?

I agree, be really cold and stick to the facts if she does knock again. Then get a security cam!

Juells · 14/06/2018 20:10

Has it been only twice? Is she just looking for an excuse to come and talk to the neighbours? Very odd behaviour. Seller's remorse?

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 20:10

Yeah we're pretty far past that.... Just don't feel that her behaviour is normal.

OP posts:
Myimaginarycathasfleas · 14/06/2018 20:10

That’s only twice, OP. Presumably she’ll run out of keys soon.

Dontknowwhatimdoing · 14/06/2018 20:13

Twice in two months is not a lot, maybe she misses the neighbour and wants an excuse for a chat? Talk of ringing the police seems excessive. I'd just tell her you've changed the locks and ask her to bin any further keys she finds.

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 20:13

It has only been twice; however when keys have been turning up and i've been informed shes tried the lock both times (they are different keys). I just feel that she's not been honest (she'd signed to say that she'd hand over keys on exchange/completion)

OP posts:
Juells · 14/06/2018 20:15

I think you're getting a bit worked up over not very much. She might even just have been testing to make sure she was leaving the right keys - although in the event she wasn't, since locks were changed. The only thing that's odd is the trying of the keys. If I found keys after I'd sold a house I'd drop them round as well, as they're usually numbered keys and quite difficult and expensive to replace.

ParisUSM · 14/06/2018 20:18

Her behaviour maybe isn't what you think is 'normal' but it isn't a police matter. Contact your solicitor to contact hers to say any remaining keys should be discarded if it is bothering you. Don't think you having a 3 month child is relevant either to be honest.

Clairetree1 · 14/06/2018 20:18

sounds like she is friends with the neighbour - nothing wrong with that. And she may well stay n tough with the neighbour and keep visiting for years.

neveradullmoment99 · 14/06/2018 20:19

I would just leave it for now. If it becomes really problematic then take action like contacting the police. I feel its a bit early for that and a bit OTT.

neveradullmoment99 · 14/06/2018 20:19

As others have said, contact the solicitor to sort it out. No need for any animosity at this stage.

Original poster
LouiseAnne0130 · 14/06/2018 20:20

It’s odd behaviour though? I just feel that the voicemails, the keys and trying to get in my home. Just need advice on what I could do.

OP posts: