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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it's not my problem

244 replies

Doodlebug5 · 23/05/2017 12:50

My parents bought DP and me a house many moons ago. We decided at the beginning of this year to sell up and look for a new house. We found a buyer they were a respectable couple in their late 20's and we found a new build. The couple wanted to move in when their tenancy ended so DP and me packed up and moved home to my parents as new build won't be ready yet.

I was very friendly with my neighbours have got their numbers and have been out for dinner with them countless times.

So since we have moved out I've been getting daily messages about the new couple. Apparently lots of loud parties drinking in the street, drugs etc. I've told her she needs to call the police and she's saying no I need to sort it. I have countless times said no it wasn't even my house technically and once we completed legally I/my parents have nothing to do with it. She's now threatening legal action against me (have told her to get on with it) but is there/would there be any reason for me to have anything to do with this? I don't think she fully understands the buying process on a house and is asking why I didn't get references.

I suspect she's using me as a scapegoat for other things /stresses in her life that are going on.

Not really sure how to save this friendship and don't think I can

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 23/05/2017 12:53

once we completed

Have you not completed then??

Original poster
Doodlebug5 · 23/05/2017 12:54

Sorry appalling English there. Yes we have completed keys handed back legally no longer our house

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 23/05/2017 12:54

I think I've misinterpret your comment about completion.

It sounds like your neighbours think you're rentingthe house out.

Wolfiefan · 23/05/2017 12:54

Are they living in "your" house or have they bought it off you already?

Puffpaw · 23/05/2017 12:55

Your old neighbour is being unreasonable, but it is understandable if the new neighbours are as bad as she says. She may also be looking for attention if she is lonely. I'd go and have a chat with her, listen to her carefully and gently explain ad naseum that there is nothing you can do about it, and references are not required for house purchases. I'd support her in contacting the council about the noise. Or you can just walk away, you are under no obligation to do anything, but it depends how much you value the friendship. Good luck.

Wolfiefan · 23/05/2017 12:55

X post.
If these are the new owners then it has bugger all to do with you!

BertrandRussell · 23/05/2017 12:55

You let them move in before you completed? Wow- was that wise? Are they paying rent? When do you expect to complete?

Original poster
Doodlebug5 · 23/05/2017 12:56

I'm sure she would have seen that the board was up for sale.. sold etc. And I have mentioned that we completed so it's no longer legally my house. But maybe I wasn't clear enough

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 23/05/2017 12:57

Have you completed on the sale of the property or are they currently living as your tenants until completion?

If completed a in legal completion has taken place then tell the neighbour the new people own the house.

If they are currently living as tenants in your property then they may (and I stress may) have some form of legal recourse against you.

Your opening post is not very clear as to the actual legal position regarding the house sale.

harderandharder2breathe · 23/05/2017 12:58

If you've completed then it's nothing to do with you. You're not renting to them!

Allthebestnamesareused · 23/05/2017 12:58

cross posts oops.

Epipgab · 23/05/2017 13:00

Tell her you'll report her for harrassment if she carries on trying to blame you?

Ellypoo · 23/05/2017 13:00

So you have sold the house and it no longer belongs to you / your parents? Or are this couple tenants of yours/your parents?

NotISaidTheWalrus · 23/05/2017 13:02

Perhaps you've been as clear to your neighbours as you have been here, and they don't know that you have fully sold the property.
Just tell them it is nothing to do with you and you cannot help them. You'll have lost them as friends though.

Original poster
Doodlebug5 · 23/05/2017 13:02

Her last message was at 3am this morning I think the new couple might have woken her up arguing.

I told her to ring the police (as my bloody phone wasn't on silent) and she didn't message back. I'm not sure what I should have said

OP posts:
WindwardCircle · 23/05/2017 13:03

Having awful neighbours is just horrible, but she needs to understand that the house no longer belongs to you and the actions of the new owners are not your responsibility. it's no more your problem than if you sold a car and the new owner caused an accident through dangerous driving. All you can do is keep on suggesting she contacts the police or local community support person.

Chloe84 · 23/05/2017 13:05

I'm sure she would have seen that the board was up for sale.. sold etc. And I have mentioned that we completed so it's no longer legally my house. But maybe I wasn't clear enough

Is anyone else laughing at the thought of someone having to look at the 'sold' sign on their house to understand they've bought a house?

CorporalNobbyNobbs · 23/05/2017 13:05

Sounds like OP has told her it's not her house, she needs to call the council or police etc. Neighbour sounds hard of understanding. Don't see him how there would be any recourse.

NotISaidTheWalrus · 23/05/2017 13:06

Is anyone else laughing at the thought of someone having to look at the 'sold' sign on their house to understand they've bought a house?

Um no, because its the neighbour who people are talking about, and whether the neighbour knows the house is sold.

NellieFiveBellies · 23/05/2017 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenHairDontCare · 23/05/2017 13:07

You need to text her.

Say something like,

'While I'm very sorry for you predicament, I need you to understand that it is no longer my house. These aren't my tenants and I have no responsibility for their actions'.

ANd leave it at that.

Chloe84 · 23/05/2017 13:08

Oh sorry, I misunderstood Grin

theymademejoin · 23/05/2017 13:09

We had this with our old neighbours. We sold the house. New owner rented out to students but the agent never took down the for sale sign or changed it to sold so they thought we were renting it out.

The students had a couple of parties so they sent a message to us via another neighbour who had my number, asking us to sort it out. We ignored them but did feel quietly happy with karma coming to bite them in the bum as they had been nightmares for over 2 years with continuous DIY (massive job on the house that he did himself as he was a builder).

Original poster
Doodlebug5 · 23/05/2017 13:09

I think I shall become a broken record, call the police, log a noise complaint with the council etc

And if she does try to take me to court then hire a solicitor to send her a very firm letter

OP posts:
Hissy · 23/05/2017 13:10

Be clear

"I have sold the house, and while I'm hugely sympathetic there is nothing I can do. Please call the police and noise people."

I feel for them, it must be hell, and I bet you do feel guilty on some level, but you really weren't to know.

I think she thinks you are landlords and they are tenants.