How do I not have the biggest ever fall out with my cousin

[thetallfairy]

Hello all

I'm in such a pickle

D dad passed away a few years ago

We inherited his 100 acre farm
Cows and lots of sheds

My two sisters and I are clueless
Never had money
We know nothing about what to do really

So I asked my cousin if he was interested in some land
This land is in a great area good quality
I got it valued
He offered half the price it was valued at
Didn't want a fight I said ok if that's all you have

He came to me a few months later with 1/3 of the price he offered
Paltry amount

This was 18 months ago
Since then he has been making changes to this area of land
It's obv not his
So I messaged him
Told him the final amount is now due

Nada

No word
No mention

Wtaf

So
I am trying to muster the courage to hand the money back and say we have now changed our minds

My sis thinks I'm over reacting

I think he's a cheeky so and so

But we all have n bloody clue

She thinks there will be a huge row now

Aghhhhhhhjhhhhhhhhh

This!! Do not just send the money back.

Your cousin is taking the piss out of you. Take the land back

Contracts to transfer ownership in land have to be in writing so if you don’t have a signed contract any verbal agreement to sell the land to him is unenforceable- but yes to going and taking legal advice as this is a messy situation you have created.

How is handing the money back making this worse?

OP, I don't know about other parts of the uk, but in England I'm pretty sure the land does not legally belong to him unless it has been legally conveyed with a deed of transfer signed by you and any other part-owners and the transfer registered at HM Land Registry. Has any of that been done? If not, the land is still legally yours.

As pp have said, you really, really need legal advice.

He's a cheeky prick

No deeds are with solicitor

Solicitor emailed a few weeks ago to ask what had happened

I said nothing to them as my cousin seems to think the solicitor is out to screw us over

My idiot brain 🙄🙄🙄🙄

Deeds are with solicitor that should say

How did he give you the money? If there’s no legal documentation to say he owes the land he doesn’t. Did he want some documentation/receipt for what the money was for that he gave you? If no documentation then there’s nothing to show what the money he gave you was for.

No he gave it as cash in an envelope

Landed to the house

Here you go ah I'm in a rush

I said what's this for
He said remember what we spoke about and left in the car

I thought ok either this is a part payment rest to come or another sister spoke to him and arranged a different deal

What it was was him being cf and thinking he could pay the small amount then take the land

In reality I should have said
No I can't take cash
The solicitor can

I'm aware this is flipping madness

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

Your COUSIN is the one who is screwing you over here.

They are taking total advantage of the fact that you don't have a clue what you are doing, and just want to keep the land 'in the family'.

For crying out loud, make an appointment with your solicitor and go and talk to them. In person. In their office. Say nothing to the cousin.

Is the land registered? Whose name is on the title?

Tell the solicitor what has happened and ask their advice. I expect your cousin will claim there was an oral contract to sell to him. Oral contracts are enforceable in England and Wales.

Thank you all

The land is in my name and two sisters names

No deeds transferred

Got an appointment for Friday

Ffs
I should have stopped him immediately

He can be as angry as he likes now but it's not going ahead

Sell it to me. I will give you 20% of what it’s worth. Result!

There have been some really serious flutes on this page but you may take the cake.

Ooops a daisy, you little fluff head. All that legal stuff. What a palaver!

Where are the cows? 🤔🐄🐮
Hope you get it sorted 👍

You've no 'nice' options at this point. Choose your hard.

Howling !!!

Just so spit 🙄🙄🙄

Anyhow thanks to most of you !!!!

Appointment sorted

Well ain't that the truth

Grow up @SeriaMau tut tut

Good luck OP. You would also benefit from speaking to a decent land agent - they should be able to help with any negotiation required with your cousin and / or future marketing and sale.

Thank you so much

Lesson learned my god

The road to good intentions and all that !!!!

He may try to charge me for the work he has done on the land

Hey ho