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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

New neighbours

667 replies

Plannergirl9 · 10/06/2020 12:12

Sorry this is a long one. TLDR: Essentially we were gifted land from ex-neighbour when they died. New neighbours who bought her house has told us we must sell it to them.

A bit more backstorey. Our elderly neighbour lived next to us until they died in late December. She had a side bit of garden like an allotment that we used to help her with (hatched area on diagram). Unbeknownst to us she gifted us that area of land in her will. The rest of the house and land was to be sold and the money given to charity.

After the will reading we have had the land registry changed to confirm we now own the land. The house was put up for sale late January. In mid February we received a letter from a solicitor asking that we sell the land to the potential buyer of the house. We emailed back saying no we won't sell. We then heard nothing more from any solicitors. House was then sold during lockdown.

The new neighbours moved in on Monday. Yesterday they came to our door asking for the name of our solicitor so the land purchase can take place. We told them we were not planning on selling the land and that we told their solicitor that. The new neighbours didn't take it well. Apparently they only bought the house on the provision that they could buy the land and this was agreed with us via their solicitors.

The new neighbours got quite loud and angry about us apparently misleading them and left to speak to their solicitor. They seem to think we legally need to sell them the land as there was a written (email) contract between them and their solicitor who confirmed to them by email prior to the sale of the house that we would sell the land.

Aibu to a) not sell the land even though we technically didn't buy it and b) that the fact their solicitor has mislead them is not our problem?

Neighbours land is in red.
Our land is in black and the hatched area is the land they expect to buy.

New neighbours
OP posts:
lidoshuffle · 11/06/2020 17:59

You can always find some people in all professions who are willing to go 'above and beyond' and do whatever is in their power if there's something in it for them - even if it's just a case of using their deciding vote differently from how they otherwise might have done.

You're confusing the roles of planners and councillors. This separation, and the public debate (and the appeal process) gives planning much more transparency than most other decisions.

HalloumiSalad · 11/06/2020 18:19

Can't wait for the next episode, what a cliff hanger - love this thread!

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 11/06/2020 18:26

You're confusing the roles of planners and councillors. This separation, and the public debate (and the appeal process) gives planning much more transparency than most other decisions.

Fair enough. I don't remember specifically saying planners (I may have done). All I'm saying is that I don't believe that every single person who works in any level of government - international, national or local - is scrupulously honest in everything, nor that they don't know the system and how to swing things their way and obscure pertinent facts from the public if they're able to. Plenty are as honest as the average person in the street (some probably more so) - just not all of them.

solarlightexpress · 11/06/2020 18:30

What the fuck.

Any update op?

Weebitawks · 11/06/2020 18:33

I think it's just a case of saying *I'm sorry if your solicitor misled you, but we have never had any intention of selling this land. I don't need to speak to your father and I would appreciate if we could discuss the matter no further"

Ffs just because they want something, doesn't mean they're going to get it.

Truthpact · 11/06/2020 18:38

If they keep persisting, I'd say 'sure we agreed to sell as per that email, where's my cheque for £500,000? Get it quick you are breaking the law by not giving me my money'.

What idiots they are. I would be tempted to phone their dad for a laugh too to be honest, but probably best not to.

ktp100 · 11/06/2020 18:52

COME ON OP, WE NEED AN UPDATE!!!

Frazzled2207 · 11/06/2020 18:52

They’re either ridiculously naive or been had or possibly both.
Once they realise and calm down a bit I’d hope they start some more neighbourly behaviour. Or sell up and move on!

acatcalledjohn · 11/06/2020 19:07

This thread is gold! The 'solicitor' email is a bit Legally Blonde really.

lidoshuffle · 11/06/2020 19:32

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll my comments about planners and council officers being incorruptible in my experience weren't addressed specifically at you Smile; others had been made too.

(Not that I've tried to corrupt any!)

Bumblebee413 · 11/06/2020 19:52

Always amazed by what people think is appropriate, normal behaviour. That as well as what they think they are entitled to. So sorry OP. But also, waiting so eagerly to hear what they do next....

OVienna · 11/06/2020 20:29

OP isn't going to update. She's backed away nervously from this thread.

BTW @WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll that is literally the best user name on Mumsnet currently.

OVienna · 11/06/2020 20:32

If you could translate it into Latin the OP might agree to come back and update.

slangofoillmochara · 11/06/2020 20:43

This is insane. CFs

KeepYourDistance2m · 11/06/2020 21:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UniversalAunt · 11/06/2020 21:09

Fututorum vivis iuxta portam,

Vos autem habens risu. April primum fuit ante saecula saeculorum.

Non erit inter myriades annorum sum mihi terra vendet tibi.

Noli haec iterum fuckery vivis.

Yours sincerely,
Ms Mine Not Yours

KeepYourDistance2m · 11/06/2020 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlyAwayLikeABird · 11/06/2020 21:30

You have crazy new neighbours

intheningnangnong · 11/06/2020 21:36

.

Nope, I’m not place marking, that’s a typo

ShortAndSharp · 11/06/2020 22:35

I hope OP is alright and CF neighbours haven't kicked off 😕

justilou1 · 11/06/2020 23:25

Seriously sounds like they learned Latin from the Harry Potter books.

copperoliver · 11/06/2020 23:54

Keep the land. It's their problem to deal with their solicitor and his error, not your fault. X

BruceAndNosh · 12/06/2020 07:35

OP I also said welcome to the street and told them tomorrow is bin day
Next time I want to settle an argument "tomorrow is bin day" will be my closing statement

SkiddySkidz · 12/06/2020 08:43

This is all completely insane. I am interested in an update to see how it plans out. I hope they back down quickly

AwwDontGo · 12/06/2020 09:08

.