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Original poster

Would you sell your house to a registered sex offender?

160 replies

TiffanyBonj · 25/04/2016 11:36

We've got a big move coming up and thought we had the house all sorted out, we've just been informed by our agency that the possible buyer has disclosed that she is currently registered on the sex offender's list.

I was Shock . She's married with two really young kids, and seemed like a decent person, we don't know what to do now.

Are we allowed to ask her for more information? I don't know anything about the sex offender's registry, are people on their for the rest of their lives? Do you think they can change? Her being on the registry is the only reason we would turn down their offer, their's no way I would ever want to put children at risk, but is that unreasonable?

OP posts:
CiaoVerona · 25/04/2016 20:34

This is madness! This is none of your business I think you should mention to the estate agent they have no rights to discuss clients....period.

Its a house sale since when does anyone vet the buyer other then they can afford the property. You're judging the person without having any facts about them other then some statement made by an estate agent who clearly has no clue about data protection laws.

Andrewofgg · 25/04/2016 20:37

1) your estate agent has breached data protection laws by disclosing this information to you.

Except the EA almost certainly has no such information. That EA is up to no good. There are many reasons for an EA to block a sale and none of them are good news for the vendor. Just say it makes no difference to you.

isitginoclock · 25/04/2016 20:59

I think it depends on whether you want to remain friends with your neighbours

insertimaginativeusername · 25/04/2016 20:59

what I can't understand is why the agent would want to block the highest offer when the usually receive a % fee? Surely it is in their interest to encourage the purchase.

However the minimum term on the register for an adult is 2 years, not 7, with the exception of a conditional discharge.

dillydotty · 25/04/2016 21:18

Two things are weird. If you were an estate agent making up that lie, wouldn't you say it was the husband? Most people would find that more believable and more of a danger (men usually being physically stronger).

I work in conveyancing. I can't see a possible reason why that information needed to be shared. We certainly don't ask, we aren't required to do any checks etc. Surely the solicitors would deal with any issues if there were any. Not all sales are arranged through agents so it wouldn't make sense to give agents responsiblities for any disclosure. What would happen at auctions or privately arranged sales?

Andrewofgg · 25/04/2016 21:29

insertimaginativeusername Because the preferred buyer may be selling through the same EA who wants both transactions to go through - two fees are better than one!

YelloRoses · 25/04/2016 21:36

Sex offenders do not change but I dont think you can ask more questions.
Surprised her children are with her being on that though.

Thebrowntrout · 25/04/2016 21:37

Well, sex offenders have to live somewhere.

YelloRoses · 25/04/2016 21:39

tiffany dont stop your house sell because of this, You never know who you are selling to, you could sell your house to someone who goes on to rape or murder, just this one you know about.
She will have authority watching her, defiantly SS

Andrewofgg · 25/04/2016 21:46

A sex offender's money is as good as anybody else's. Stop worrying and crack on with the sale.

insertimaginativeusername · 25/04/2016 21:52

andrew ah true yes...was scratching my head!

dangerrabbit · 25/04/2016 22:12

I think the estate agent is making this up because they don't want you to buy from this particular vendor for some reason. Why on earth would anyone disclose they were a sex offender to an estate agent?!

pinkcan · 25/04/2016 22:13

For a sex crime of the most serious type (eg the rape of a small child) she'd likely be in prison still, given that she is young enough to have two small kids. Plus, if she was dangerous, her kids would not be with her. Just sell the house to them and forget it.

SouthWestmom · 25/04/2016 22:18

www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/sex%20offender%20information%20booklet.pdf

Op, this sounded so unlikely (got to half way through the thread) that I googled and found this booklet - nowhere does it even hint that she should have to tell the estate agent. And definitely not someone in your position.

So either the estate agent got it wrong, is gossiping or you've misunderstood.

I feel a bit sorry for this buyer tbh.

SouthWestmom · 25/04/2016 22:18

www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/sex%20offender%20information%20booklet.pdf

Op, this sounded so unlikely (got to half way through the thread) that I googled and found this booklet - nowhere does it even hint that she should have to tell the estate agent. And definitely not someone in your position.

So either the estate agent got it wrong, is gossiping or you've misunderstood.

I feel a bit sorry for this buyer tbh.

snototterly · 26/04/2016 07:24

Is it possible that the "xx is on the register" comment was referring to something else entirely other than the SO register and it's all a misunderstanding?

Vaara · 26/04/2016 08:59

Are you sure the EA didn't say "on the spectrum"??

Vaara · 26/04/2016 08:59

Are you sure the EA didn't say "on the spectrum"??

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 26/04/2016 09:01

Absolutely.

Could the agent mean the buyer is registered with them? On a waiting list or similar?

UpsiLondoes · 26/04/2016 09:13

Let's just go on what is in the OP- for whatever reason the woman volunteers the info to EA. The EA has no contract with the potential buyer and is simply repeating information freely volunteered by the potential buyer. If he didn't disclose it, the OP could take legal action against the EA, as she does have a contract with him.

In this scenario, data protection doesn't come into it. Why would the woman volunteer it? The way the EA mentioned it, it seems to be common info. Most likely under a maiden surname, OP.

It would be a ridicilous thing for EA to make up.

stitch10yearson · 26/04/2016 09:16

I dont see how it makes any difference to you. Or why you should know this

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/04/2016 19:41

Is your only reason for thinking this the phrase "she's on the register"? Why on earth would you immediately jump to thinking sex offender register? Surely he meant she's on the housing register?

SouthWestmom · 26/04/2016 19:56

'By the way so and so is registered'

Was there more to it than that?

Because that could mean more than the SO register:

Registered disabled
Registered with our in house mortgage company
Registered with the school

Out2pasture · 26/04/2016 20:07

Why does it matter who buys your house? Do you have the luxury to pick and choose buyers?
If she has the funds can you legally not follow through on the sale based on this possible disclosure?

Brightside65 · 26/04/2016 20:21

You don't know the circumstances and in all fairness it's not your business too.

The estate agent have no doubt broken data protection l'd be inclined to tell the buyer this so she can sue them!

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