Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To worry about next door being empty for nearly two years,

15 replies

catlady39 · 25/05/2019 19:24

I may be overthinking things, and I'm not planning on selling so I'm not looking at it from that point of view...

Mid town house. Next door moved out nearly two years ago, it was rented and now it is for sale. Haven't seen anyone coming or going.

Their hedges are now about 20 feet tall at the back of their garden (my side is a fence so no issue), and about ten feet at the front. Their downstairs extension is completely covered in ivy, as is one of their upstairs windows. The garden is completely overgrown. The house is completely empty.

AIBU to worry about the overgrowth, possible vermin, damp; or any other effects of the house not being occupied that I have yet to panic about? Or will it just be fine and I should enjoy the peace?

OP posts:

HollowTalk · 25/05/2019 19:29

There's a house near me like that and I was wondering whether the owner had died and there was a problem with the Will. Do you know the person who owned it previously? There must be a website that'll tell you who the owner is but I'm not sure what it is - 192?

Original poster

catlady39 · 25/05/2019 19:33

I'm pretty sure the renters moved out and the owner is still their landlord. We had issues with the tenants many years ago and the owner wasn't interested then so not sure he would be bothered.

OP posts:

DontCallMeShitley · 25/05/2019 19:51

In some areas the Council will force owners to move in or to rent a property after a while. Maybe ask them?

Deadposhtory · 25/05/2019 19:52

Try contacting your local empty homes officer via your local council

WeShouldOpenABar · 25/05/2019 19:57

Next doors tenants moved out a couple of months after I moved in and 18 months later no sign of selling, its a great area so I think something must be complicating things legally.
Anyway my main issue with this is my heating bill, the big cold space next door is sucking all my heat in and its costing me a fortune to effectively heat two houses

Original poster

catlady39 · 25/05/2019 20:12

So there is something else I should be worrying about then lol.

I didn't even know there was such a job at the council...will try them.

I just didn't know if it was something I should even be worried about. An empty house isn't hurting anyone is it?

OP posts:

TanMateix · 25/05/2019 20:14

It is... it is lowering the price of your property.

herecomestherainagain2 · 25/05/2019 20:15

House near us is privately owned but has been empty 10+ years. Council are trying to force sale.

bridgetreilly · 25/05/2019 20:20

But... it's for sale? So someone will buy it and move in and it won't be empty any more. I don't get why now is the point to start worrying. Now is the point to be relieved, surely?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/05/2019 20:38

My dads flat has been empty for almost 2 years. You wouldn't believe all the kerfuffle we've had. Probate deeds ect. Its far too long to go into it all. We got an offer in December and we still awaiting completion.

@herecomes. How can the council force a sale.. You can't force people to buy, or am I being a bit thick

HollowTalk · 25/05/2019 20:46

There are compulsory purchase orders sometimes on derelict shops, but I don't know whether they can be done on houses.

herecomestherainagain2 · 25/05/2019 20:54

The council have had to do some emergency repair works to avoid significant impact to adjacent houses( mid terrace) therefore I believe the owners owe council for this work and I guess maybe also council tax which they want to claim back so will try and force them to sell / claim possession somehow to pay off debts. Even in current state it must've £200k so why you would just sit on it I have no idea!

Gigglinghysterically · 25/05/2019 21:06

There is a property in my road that has been empty for about 10 years and was inherited by a number of people, some of whom live in Australia. It doesn't look too bad. It had new windows fitted and the garden is done every now and then by somebody. Our council charges 200% Council tax for long term empty properties.

There is another round the corner where the owner also died about 2 years ago. it has a wooden garage door with a little hole in it and there are lots of rats inside. The back garden is now overgrown and the foxes and their cubs love it. The deceased's family own it but presumably they can't yet afford to do it up. The council have no say over it as council tax is paid. They weren't even interested when the NDN asked for help with the rat infestation.

Original poster

catlady39 · 25/05/2019 22:47

@bridgetreilly that was my question really - enjoy the peace or is it damaging my house somehow...

But two years seems a long time for no one to buy.

OP posts:

mistermagpie · 25/05/2019 22:51

And surely nobody will buy it if it's going to rack and ruin in the meantime? I wouldn't like it either but I'm not sure the is anything you can actually do about it.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.