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Original poster

Would you tell your neighbours you had put your house on the market?

39 replies

IceniSky · 08/05/2020 16:02

If you on are friendly terms, NYE together, drinks, take outs, kids play, chat, DH helps them fix things, parties, bbqs etc? 5 years.

I'd have thought you would mention it in passing but just been told they are moving out next week! We weren't 'best' friends but thought they would have mentioned it. Maybe we over egged the relationship. Feel sorry for DD really.

OP posts:
Campurp · 08/05/2020 16:05

Yes I would have said something. That’s strange.

SpiderPlantSally · 08/05/2020 16:14

If they're immediate neighbours (i.e. next door), I think it would polite to tell them before it goes on the market really - so they don't have the shock of seeing in pop up online or in the estate agents window. That's what I would do. I'm not sure I would bother to tell others along the street unless I was friendly with them.

Original poster
IceniSky · 08/05/2020 16:16

Yes. Next door. 4 foot fence we chat over and kids play over.

OP posts:
Itwasntme1 · 08/05/2020 16:20

Are you in the UK? It’s a really odd time to move. I would assume there is something going on and maybe they aren’t very happy about moving.

They could be splitting up or be in financial difficulties. I assume they rent rather than own?

Would have been neighbourly to mention it to you, but maybe it is all very stressful and they aren’t thinking straight.

Original poster
IceniSky · 08/05/2020 16:23

UK. They own the house. Very well off.

Oh well. It's a shame but I guess it is what it is.

OP posts:
Itwasntme1 · 08/05/2020 16:26

If they own the house, was there a for sale sign? Did you see it advertised on the net? How did you find out about them moving?

LudaMusser · 08/05/2020 16:28

In this sense it does sound odd but if I was to move I would only tell the next door neighbour on one side. I say hello to the other side whereas I will actually have a conversation with my other neighbour

Original poster
IceniSky · 08/05/2020 16:32

No for sale sign but is on the net. STC. They messaged me today. Breezy message.

OP posts:
cstaff · 08/05/2020 16:38

Strange but maybe they weren't expecting a quick sale in the current circumstances and it came around quicker than anticipated.

Itwasntme1 · 08/05/2020 16:56

At least they told you😊. Maybe they don’t want to keep in touch and decided not to have a big build up.

CommunistLegoBloc · 08/05/2020 17:01

I think that's really weird.

Original poster
IceniSky · 08/05/2020 17:11

I feel a little deflated tbh given we were on such good terms and social with them. They must have other stuff going on and it wasn't important.

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 08/05/2020 17:13

I'd tell them once we had a sale agreed but not before.

Nordicwannabe · 09/05/2020 07:18

Yes, it's courtesy to tell immediate neighbours even if much less close than you describe. Getting new neighbours is obviously a big thing (always a bit nerve-wracking, hoping they won't be problematic)

When you're selling your house and moving, there are a million things to do, and telling neighbours is just one task on the list. Since it's the remaining neighbours who benefit (ie get the courtesy of plenty of warning, and being in the know) but the moving neighbour has to think/remember to do it, the fact it slipped off the bottom of their list says much more about them (self-centered) than you.

FTMF30 · 09/05/2020 07:28

@Nordicwannabe No, the moving neighbours don't HAVE to notify them of anything. It's a courtesy.

OP, I wouldn't take it personally. I assume they have personal stuff going on if they're moving at a time like this. They probably don't want to invite too much conversation about it and, since you were friends, they probably found it difficult to tell you.

You say they're well off but the well off can run into money problems too so perhaps they're downsizing and are a little embarrassed?

Did you message back?

fartyface · 09/05/2020 07:29

Ag. We are thinking of putting our house on the market and don't really want to tell anyone as we feel bad for bailing on the area.

KatherineJaneway · 09/05/2020 07:35

That is odd as you were so friendly.

Sandybval · 09/05/2020 07:38

Perhaps they weren't expecting it to sell for a while, and didn't want it to be awkward in the interim with you knowing they wanted to move? I can see why you feel a bit offended, but seen as though you do get on well, I doubt it was meant to hurt you or just because they forgot.

greenlynx · 09/05/2020 07:47

Could you check online when they’ve put the house on the market? Some houses are sold straight away, literally the same day so no time to tell your neighbors in advance.
I think it’s strange that they didn’t tell you but equally strange that it happened now and there was no sign for sale, they’ve done everything to avoid talking about it. Could be personal reasons or could be that they were not so interested in your friendship, just went with it because you were next door. Sorry if it sounds harsh.

GailHugger · 09/05/2020 07:48

Are they divorcing and don’t want to tell you about it?

CoolShoeshine · 09/05/2020 07:54

Perhaps it’s not a happy move for them, they may have financial or marriage difficulties which they don’t want to talk about. I’m sure if they were moving to a bigger, nicer house or better area they would have excitedly mentioned it.

SwimmingSwan · 09/05/2020 07:58

I disagree Nordicwannabe. There is no obligation and it is actually a bit self-centred to expect the neighbours should inform them. They may have bigger issues they're dealing with, such as divorce or illness.

always a bit nerve-wracking, hoping they won't be problematic Moving neighbours is a fact of life. Your neighbours don't owe you anything. Saying that unless there were personal issues, I would tell my neighbours and have a for sale sign as that would support the sale process and also I have no reason not to tell the neighbours.

Original poster
IceniSky · 09/05/2020 07:58

House on market summer last year then early this year. Gosh, we spent a fair few evenings together during that time, not always instigated by us.

He has a new job, and its one that takes a lot of planning to move.

Yes, text back to congratulate etc.

Bit worried abot new neighbours now!

Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:
Original poster
IceniSky · 09/05/2020 08:02

Their DD is same age as mine. They play together a lot!

OP posts:
Lavenderpurple · 09/05/2020 08:07

That’s very odd. We moved last year, told the neighbours just before the board went up and then in passing once we’d accepted an offer.
We weren’t as friendly as you sound with your neighbours either.