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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What's in the cellar? (lighthearted... I hope)

14 replies

katzensocken · 21/03/2018 23:36

OK, this is partially an AIBU. Posted about this briefly on the property forum, but we're in the process of buying a house. We've had first and second viewings, a valuation done and a homebuyer survey (we asked for a full structural... that's another issue). On none of these occasions have we been able to view the cellar, which is accessible via hatch on the ground floor. Each time there's been furniture on top of the hatch and no one has moved it prior to surveyors coming round, etc. Report once again says 'couldn't see cellar because heavy furniture on top of the hatch.' But the vendors store a lot of things down there, so it's simple enough to get down (there are steps, not a ladder). The meters are also there. Rest of the survey results are as expected on a Victorian house, some maintenance and repairs need doing.

AIBU to think we and the surveyors should have seen the cellar by now? The estate agent wasn't even told there was a cellar to begin with. We only knew because it appeared on a cached version of the property details from when it was on the market some years ago. The vendor only confirmed there was a cellar when we brought this up.

So what's being hidden down there? Bodies? Treasure? The Necronomicon? Or more seriously, rats, rot, woodworm, flooding.

(We're in touch with the solicitor btw, to get the thing actually looked at since that's what we paid for). The surveyor himself didn't seem concerned or even bothered about checking it out, just that 'the meters are down there, it's currently being used for storage, please let me know if this is satisfactory.' So while I wait to make some phone calls again, please regale me with your tales of what you think is hidden in the haunted basement. DH thinks it's possessed beanie babies.

OP posts:
UpstartCrow · 21/03/2018 23:39

Your surveyor hasn't seen the cellar?

I've seen one full of furniture and cardboard boxes that looked like this. You cant imagine the smell...
io9.gizmodo.com/5918948/fungal-infection-causes-tarantula-to-grow-antlers

PompholyxOfUnknownOrigin · 21/03/2018 23:42

It’s a crystal meth lab #breakingbad.

There isn’t anything dissolving in the upstairs bath is there?

ADarkandStormyKnight · 21/03/2018 23:46

Secret passage to the pub/brothel/smugglers cove?

katzensocken · 21/03/2018 23:47

Bloody hell @upstart!!! Yeah I was thinking that, fungus issues won't be fun but we'll be converting the cellar soon enough anyway so would get someone in to blast it! Could do without mutant spiders though.

@pompholy, hadn't thought of that one! Bath was fine when I saw it, maybe I should check the plugholes for debris...

OP posts:
UpstartCrow · 22/03/2018 00:16

The boxes had gone all soggy and mishappen

I once saw a post on Reddit WTF and there was a cross stuck in the dirt of the cellar floor with a name written on it.

katzensocken · 22/03/2018 00:21

Oh the cross is more my speed, I'm into my horror so I would probably do that as a joke on Halloween anyway!

No to soggy boxes though. Was that a house you wanted to buy?

OP posts:
halfwitpicker · 22/03/2018 00:45

You need to see the cellar. There's a reason they're not showing it to you.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 22/03/2018 00:48

I think it's where the current owner keeps his extensive collection of 1970s porn mags

katzensocken · 22/03/2018 00:55

@halfwit, that's what I keep saying. DH says I'm getting ahead of myself! I just don't see why someone wouldn't make an effort to allow access unless they don't want to show it at all. I'm assuming they think we'll forget about it which is why they keep avoiding it.

OP posts:
yoyo1234 · 22/03/2018 08:55

Hmmmm, I agree you have to see it and get it checked out . Meeting place of a satanic cult .......

FluffyWhiteTowels · 22/03/2018 09:00

I think it'll be a festering dungeon of damp, mouldy mildew cobwebs and rat carcasses

hesterton · 22/03/2018 09:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toomanyweeds · 22/03/2018 09:09

I didn't think I would ever feel sorry for a spider Sad

Yes, you definitely need to see the cellar.

UpstartCrow · 22/03/2018 10:11

katzensocken No, it was a friends house that she bought and like a mug I offered to help before I saw how bad it was.

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