To tell my neighbours to tidy up?!

[MrsJackman10]

Yes I know I would be unreasonable but what can I do?

Trying to sell my house, three of four viewers have cited the state of the neighbours front of their house and them shouting and arguing during the viewing as their reason not to proceed. The front is covered in rubbish, beer cans etc, lawn is mud mixed with cat shit (stank in the heatwave!) It's not nice and they are always shouting at each other and never seem to go out so I can't time viewings for when they're not there. The agent also mentioned it was a shame about the state of the neighbouring property when they did valuation.

I'm not a snob, but it's a bit gross and wouldn't take much just to make it less nasty... I don't expect flowers and landscaping but surely they could keep it clean and clear??!!

I would love to ask them if they would sort it as it's not pleasant for anyone living nearby but realistically how can I do that and to what effect anyway, and they'd still be the shouting and arguing.

We will probably lose the house we want because of the lazy gits! So frustrated!! There is nothing I can do about it is there? I'm going to live next to steptoes yard forever!!!

If it were me I would either ask them if I could tidy it myself, or I'd do it by stealth in the middle of the night. I think asking them to do it would be pointless. If they can't be arsed to do it for themselves they are certainly not going to do it for you.

I love the idea of stealth tidying up! Like the story of the Brownies in the old Brownie Guide Handbook when I was little. I would so do this.

Stealth tidy hilarious! Let's just hope they don't rush out and duff you up thinking you are a (tidy) intruder.

Ask them if they will let you tidy it up yourself.

If that doesn't work, offer them money so they will let you do it - I bet that would work.

Ah yes, if all else fails offering money to allow you to do it would certainly work.

I had similar issue - urine soaked kids pants left in front garden, broken plastic toys, food wrappers etc etc.

XH knocked and explained we were hoping to move (you can imagine why!) and said he knew how hard it was to keep garden tidy when you have kids, blah blah blah, and not their problem, blah blah, but would they mind if we knew we had a viewing, could we just have a very quick run around and clear up. We would pop toys up the side of the house, put other stuff in bag and out of sight etc.

They agreed quite amicably, and of course we had to do it every bloody day, viewing or not, just in case anyone was scoping the place out.

Worked for us

That would definitely put me off buying, stealth tidy sounds good, can you shake n vac grass??

I'm not sure how to stop them yelling at each other though...

God that sounds a nightmare. I definitely like the idea of stealth tidying! Maybe you could buy them a pint each every time there's a viewing!

Isn’t it trespassing to be rootling around in someone’s garden? If they are aggressive I wouldn’t chance it.

I mowed my old neighbours lawn and took her old sofas to the tip. I worked really hard making my house look good for sale and the estate agent pointed out that next door was ruining the curb appeal. She didnt mind.

I want my neighbours to fix their window. It's been boarded up since Christmas :(
Council (they are council tenants) won't do anything. It's on our title deeds that we have to keep the property in good repair, apparently doesn't apply to everyone in the block. We're never going to sell our flat.

oh poor you

I would say go over there with some beer and say "please could we tidy your garden because we are trying to sell". I can't see any other way tbh!

My parents had a similar issue with the people over the back of their house. They ended up spending a small fortune on bamboo fencing and tall plants/trees to block them out. Also put up voil curtains at the back windows to help. Don't know what I would do if it was out the front mind. I feel for you, what a frustrating situation.

There’s a house like it in our road, front lawn three foot high. It doesn’t bother me but it’s put a lot of people off buying the house next to it, which is very difficult for them.

The untidy owner refuses all offers of help.

I’m popping to the tip tomorrow- is there anything I can take for you

We tidied next door's garden when we were wanting to sell, they had an old bathtub in the front and lots of wood, old appliances etc. They didn't care what we did as long as it involved no effort or expense for them. Did the trick for us. Maybe viewers will assume the shouting is a one-off?

I think most viewers would assume the shouting is a one off. Shouting combined with a shit tip garden is a massive red flag so yes, I would offer to clear the garden yourself. They probably won’t care.