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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Our garden is not the cause for the lack of sale

416 replies

maoiBYRD · 31/08/2020 17:33

Neighbours have just blamed me because our garden is a mess. That’s why they can’t get their sale for the flat upstairs.

They are selling for 10 grand over the asking price. You can get a three bed in the next road for 5 grand less, they are going with an online estate agent and you have to do viewings yourself. We are in the middle of a pandemic and no one is buying at the moment.

I’m currently clearing the flower bed of the “jungle” of wild flowers, potatoes and garlic that I created with my little girl, and trying to find a scrap man to take away the bikes and scooters and wondering how how I “shape” a bush that we really want to keep because my mother planted it.

Would a neighbours garden really influence your purchase of a property?

Im digging up the unsightly veg bushes. I will clear the garden. We don’t have any rotting cars or rat nests. It was just a bit overgrown with wild flowers and veg. :(

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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EvilPea · 01/09/2020 10:03

The veg and plants wouldn’t worry me. In fact the wild flowers etc would make me think we are like minded.
Visible and multiple Scrap would though

EvilPea · 01/09/2020 10:04

They could be proactive and pay for a gardener.

caringcarer · 01/09/2020 10:09

Property is being advertised one week and sstc the next where I live. People are buying houses with gardens, don't know about flats. When I buy a house I always look out of bedroom window and if I see a load of scrap bikes and scooters in garden next door I would be put off.

Desiringonlychild · 01/09/2020 10:14

Seriously this thread makes me glad i am not responsible for a garden.its basically a commitment to maintain a garden for the remaining years of my life regardless of my own physical health.

I am glad i can pay my service charge and the communal garden is then not my responsibility.

Original poster
maoiBYRD · 01/09/2020 10:17

I was at the end of my teather. The bushes and plants were mentioned as a problem, so I am putting (most of) them back to soil. I’ll probably plant more garlic and make it look regimented.

I wonder if I can just put things back tidily which may make a slight difference. I have thought of getting a bike store perhaps to hide the bikes a bit. I have been mindful to hide the children (keep them out of the garden) when they have had viewings and make sure everyone stayed quiet.

OP posts:
JenniferSantoro · 01/09/2020 10:26

A scruffy house and/or garden next door would definitely put some people off. I certainly wouldn’t look at what you’ve described If I’m honest.

bamboothrough · 01/09/2020 10:29

I think we need pictures. There’s no need to remove vegetable plants/ flowers etc

OhCaptain · 01/09/2020 10:29

Less need to remove your children...

GreyishDays · 01/09/2020 10:35

How can bushes be a problem? I think we need a pic to gauge whether your neighbour is being ridiculous.

Can you just prune the bushes so they look neat?

Is there grass? Is it regularly mown?

dottiedodah · 01/09/2020 10:41

Im sorry to say this ,but yes I think it absolutely would make a difference really! Lots of people would notice and not be happy!

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 01/09/2020 10:55

Whilst I think the garden could be a factor if it’s really bad, I don’t think much of online estate agents either.

Had a bad experience of trying to sell using one.

tornadoalley · 01/09/2020 10:57

Yes it would. An overgrown garden full of old toys would make me think my new neighbors were not the best.

possumgoddess · 01/09/2020 11:18

My next door neighbours are really really lovely - but my goodness their garden is a mess and I do worry that it might bring the value of our house down. We share a driveway and we have worked hard to ensure that our bit is tidy and has kerb appeal, but they don't do anything with their bit at all. We have taken over the communal areas (after discussing with them) so they look nice too, but it is let down by an unfinished parking area next door, and their back garden is usually overrun by 3ft thistles although they have done quite a bit to it this year. I understand why, they have a lot going on and it isn't a priority for them. If we ever sell I think I might ask whether they would like us to get somebody in to chop the back garden down for them, but there is nothing we could do about the front. So I do sympathise with your neighbour although it doesn't sound as if she has communicated with you very well. At the very least you should get rid of any rubbish in your garden. Whether you choose to actually do any gardening is up to you, but if you can manage it it would be a considerate thing to do. Our back garden is no show garden by any means but we do try to keep it reasonably ok. There are a lot of weeds but they aren't too apparent 😊.

HeronLanyon · 01/09/2020 11:25

Not only would it for all the reasons above it would also worry me that I was making mega major purchase which if it didn’t work out I may then have a bit of trouble selling.
It trickles along - heck even if I were the next but one I’d be a bit worried that whoever bought ‘your house’ didn’t care about garden full of rubbish completely untouched.

I love a bit of wildness and lots of greenery and hate decking and fake lawns etc. So I’m not talking about wildlife unfriendly obsessive clinical neatness but garden left completely and full of abandoned old toys etc is just depressing !

EvilPea · 01/09/2020 11:41

No don’t take the plants out and put it to soil, you’ll open it up to weeds and more work.

I’d compromise with a tidy up, get rid of the scrap (as that’s probably a job that’s overdue anyway). But it sounds like your getting yourself in a tizz over what’s ultimately theirs.
Keep your garden tidy, but they shouldn’t be expecting you to do more to sell their house for them.

My feeling is it’s easy to blame you, both the seller and the buyer can.

So tidy it up, get rid of the scrap but don’t stress about it.

MiddlesexGirl · 01/09/2020 11:42

What you've described doesn't sound so bad to me. You've a pile of bikes and scooters in a corner by the house, a nice established shrub, some slightly neglected veg patches and a wild flower bed. Plus 80% reasonably mowed grass. Sounds pretty standard to me. And don't feel you need to get rid of the wild flowers- -they're great for attracting butterflies and bees and helping wildlife generally.
Also don't keep your children in during viewings. It's important that prospective neighbours know what kind of people live next door. A family will likely be happier that there's a family next door rather than an elderly person for example.

PurplePansy05 · 01/09/2020 12:49

You're "reluctant to fly tip"? I despair. Why would you even think of doing it? That sentence says a lot about your attitude.

You do know that sheds exists, right? They can be purchased online and delivered. Or you can reuse materials and build one, lots of people get rid of garden stuff, you could reuse it if you ever thought of the environment.

You should keep your bush trimmed. If you have it, you need to maintain it, otherwise get rid of it. You're coming up with all sorts of excuses for shirking what quite clearly is your responsibility and you somehow don't see it.

GreyishDays · 01/09/2020 12:57

Try and mow your grass once a week, it’ll look much better.

Original poster
maoiBYRD · 01/09/2020 13:17

Sheds are also a few hundred pounds.

As I’ve said I will do the work, so I am not shirking.

Fly tipping was tempting because everyone else is doing it. It’s a council estate, so people just put stuff by a certain bin and it gets taken away.

The reason why I have to hide the children is because they are not disclosing the fact that there are children in our flat to buyers.

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 01/09/2020 13:23

This thread is really interesting! I have a garden that a lot of people would consider messy.
The grass is overgrown, as we are creating a wildflower patch.
The hedge is tall & bushy - we are waiting for autumn to trim it.
We have an old trampoline and a swimming pool in the front.
Our drive is unmade, as we are renovating the property.
The small rear garden has got quite a lot of junk in it (a door and sink, compost bin, log store, gas canisters for bbq) and the failed veg plot is very weedy.
This thread is a great insight into what people are thinking as they walk by our house! (Which also still needs quite a bit of work).
I couldn't care less. I have hedgehogs and insects and dragonflies and swallows and bats and crickets, and a garden to me which looks lovely. If others want to label me the local chav, IDGAF.

HandfulofDust · 01/09/2020 13:28

You sound lovely OP.

LIZS · 01/09/2020 13:28

I suspect an overgrown bed is the least of the issues. Yet you seem to be fixated on it. Can you set the rubbish aside and cover, is there a council bulky rubbish service? Cutting grass can make a big difference, plus weeding any paths or patio.

cyclingmad · 01/09/2020 13:32

op can you post a picture of your garden so we can see and give you better informed advice

DollyPomPoms · 01/09/2020 13:34

I haven’t read the full thread but I will say that I disagree that people aren’t buying. I am a conveyancer and I am busier than ever!

I would imagine their flat isn’t selling because it doesn’t have a garden. After lockdown would you really choose to move to a property without a garden?!

Grrrpredictivetex · 01/09/2020 13:42

@maoiBYRD

Sheds are also a few hundred pounds.

As I’ve said I will do the work, so I am not shirking.

Fly tipping was tempting because everyone else is doing it. It’s a council estate, so people just put stuff by a certain bin and it gets taken away.

The reason why I have to hide the children is because they are not disclosing the fact that there are children in our flat to buyers.

* The reason why I have to hide the children is because they are not disclosing the fact that there are children in our flat to buyers.*

Confused that's not your problem op, your neighbour sounds a dick and if asked and doesn't disclose I think they'll be in trouble.