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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holiday lets next door!

25 replies

Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 19:24

I’d be delighted if someone could shed some comforting words on our problem. My husband and I bought our dream home 8 months ago and the couple next door bought theirs only 4 months ago. Since we both completed, the builder whom we bought the properties from has revealed that he is keeping the remaining two for holiday lets. We live on a secluded gated development of four adjoining properties with fairly open plan gardens. We feel the builder has been greedy and unethical.
He obviously had this planned from before we bought.
Both properties are three bedroomed and we are worried about parking/noise etc. The builder assured us that he wouldn’t allow any small children or dogs, but his advertisement clearly states otherwise.
We’ve really had the wool pulled over our eyes.
Is there anyone else in our situation? I’m really hoping it’s not a success!

OP posts:
Wellthatsannoying · 09/09/2018 19:55

I think there are lots of positives to living next to a holiday let ... parking will be easier as holiday makers only bring 1 car - full time residents would usually have 2, I can't see noise being any higher than normal but if a noisy family moves in at least it's only temporary - once the holiday finishes they have gone - full time residents could be making noise for years! You will meet lots of nice people - you never know what opportunities that could bring. The house and garden will be well maintained - or the builder won't get any customers.

Best to look on the bright side as there is no other option!

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 09/09/2018 20:03

Could you negotiate to make the gardens less open plan so that you have a little more privacy? Agree though there probably will be advantages - for extended periods there won't be anyone there. Noisy neighbours will only be there for a week or two. They won't be arranging parties, they will be out much of the day. They might be friendly but are unlikely to want to become best buddies and want you over for hot tub nights.

Namethecat · 09/09/2018 20:09

My friend lives next door ( terraced house) to an airbnb. The back gardens are open and she did come into her part to find a family sat at her garden table and chairs having a meal one evening, and a few dog owners have not cleaned up dog mess before. But aside from that she does not suffer from excess noise of any real trouble.

Imknackeredzzz · 09/09/2018 20:10

I think it’s actually a good thing!

Myneighboursnorlax · 09/09/2018 20:14

I think it sounds brilliant. Someone moving in permanently might be a complete nightmare, neighbours from hell etc. If holiday makers from hell move in, they’re gone after a week.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 09/09/2018 20:15

If he sold the properties, you would have neighbours 52 weeks a year (except for when they are away)
Holiday lets rarely have 100q occupancy.
As mentioned above, less likely to have excess cars.

If he sold them you are pretty likely to have small children and dogs so why do you expect him to ban them from holiday lets?

agnurse · 09/09/2018 20:15

I would check to see what the laws are in your area, but generally it's not likely to be your business.

If your bylaws allow it, you may be able to erect a privacy fence or a hedgerow to allow for extra privacy.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 09/09/2018 20:17

People with dogs and children could have moved in full time. YABU. He could have sold to a couple who moved in, moved out and let it. You can’t control your neighbours unless you’re rich enough to buy their houses too!

Batmanwearspants · 09/09/2018 20:21

How exactly has he been greedy or unethical???

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:23

Thank you all, I value all your comments and I hope you're all right. We're on the second let so far and there are three cars but they're parking with consideration and so far, so good.
I think the fact that we've been lied to by someone we trusted, coupled with the fact that we all share a private gated entrance, has added to it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:26

Hi Batman,
I think to lie to a customer until they've completed and to put their business needs first with no regard to others' lives, house values etc, is unethical and yes, greedy.

OP posts:
RedBlu · 09/09/2018 20:34

We are in new builds and the house next to us is a holiday let. It didn't start off as a holiday let, the owner purchased it as an investment and decided to turn it into a holiday let about a year later (it's now been a holiday let for two years).

At first, I was like you - quite apprehensive about it thinking it would be awful for noise and parking, etc.

However, it's not been that bad. We had a couple of issues with parking and a couple of people being overly loud but it's not as bad as I feared. If I have a complaint, I email the agency who let the house out and they pass it to the owner who usually deals with it fairly quickly.

Due to where we live and the tourist area, the clientele is usually older and the house accepts dogs so it's usually an older couple and their dog! Occasionally we have had younger families and these seem to be the ones who cause us the most issues.

The house is usually empty for most of the year, school holidays are usually busy and it's booked out nearly every week. We are now at the end of the busy season and I just checked the listing for the house, there is one more booking for a week this month then nothing until next June!!

Bluelady · 09/09/2018 20:39

You trusted a developer? Seriously?

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:41

Thank you Redblu, I've read your previous post and a few people thought you were over reacting, as they probably think I am.
I'm reassured by your words and thank you for getting in touch!

OP posts:
Hassled · 09/09/2018 20:43

I think you need to look at it from the point of view that if you had permanent neighbours they could be the neighbours from hell, and you'd never get shot of them. Multiple cars, parties, barking dogs, shrieking children, fondness for massive Leylandii, all the rest of it. And they'd be there forever. This way - you may get those neighbours but they'll be gone in a week.

Rachie1973 · 09/09/2018 20:43

Littleblueted
I think to lie to a customer until they've completed and to put their business needs first with no regard to others' lives, house values etc, is unethical and yes, greedy.

He didn't lie though did he? He just didn't tell you. He's not obliged to tell you.

Its not unethical. Its simply his business, how he earns his living.

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:47

Yes he lied.
He told us our house was the only plot he had left and he'd sold them all.
Turned out he hadn't.
He lied.

OP posts:
stripeswitheverything · 09/09/2018 20:47

Does the local council know that he is running a business from those properties?

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:51

Yes, apparently he doesn't need PP or change of use.

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 09/09/2018 20:51

Semantics.
He had earmarked 2 of the plots for himself.
Yours was the only plot left available g the only one left

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 20:54

Nothing we can do, but never mind him now. We have a beautiful house and I just hope it stays that way!
Like you've all said, if we do get a problem holidaymaker, they'll be gone inside a week!

OP posts:
RedBlu · 09/09/2018 20:58

I can understand how you feel. When we first found out I was livid! We had put everything into buying our house and we had moved from a dodgy area with really anti social neighbours, so I was on high alert!

I honestly thought it would be awful and it's been fine. Like I said, the house is empty for the majority of the year. It was weird at first to just have random people turning up each week but we soon got use to it. To be honest, if the owner ever does sell it and it becomes permanently occupied, that will be more of an adjustment as we are now so use to not having people there very often.

It will be fine, if you have any complaints - go straight to the owner. We don't put up with any one staying there causing us any issues in terms of noise or parking as we shouldn't have to suffer. The house is joined to a young family and they feel the same way in that if anyone staying there causes issues, we complain and it gets dealt with

Original poster
Littleblueted · 09/09/2018 21:06

Thank you RedBlu, I appreciate your comments, particularly as I'd read your original post some time ago. My husband is really cross and unsettled and I'll read your messages to him.
Many thanks again Smile

OP posts:
WhitefriarsDillyDuck · 09/09/2018 21:17

Have you looked at the original planning permission? I live in a national park and you wouldn't get planning in a village for a new holiday home.

Ch33secake17 · 09/09/2018 22:15

Would it make any difference if you bought and the next door was bought, but rented out on rolling one year rent ? Or air b&b. Surely you cannot dictate what other people do, unless you live in a detached house surrounded by acres of land ?

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