To think there might be something dodgy going on?

[1Pinkfluffyelephant]

A family living opposite us sold their house almost a year ago, the new neighbours have still not moved in.
They mentioned back before Xmas they would be hoping to move after Xmas, then they blamed Covid for not being able to get a removal company (despite other families having moved recently both on our street and surrounding).

They come and go randomly, turn up for half hour then leave again then don’t come back for a day or two. It’s a quiet dead end road so really obvious when cars come and go.

All the curtains and blinds the old neighbours left are still up and have remained shut. The windows also never opened even during the heat wave etc - we were out in the garden most the day with DC’s so it was very obvious they were the only house with everything shut.
Something tells me something odd is going on but maybe I’m over thinking 🤷‍♀️

My first thought was catchment area for a school.

I bet they're popping round for post.

@AvoidingRealHumans oh wow really. Get a grip.... the neighbourhood busybody 😂😂. It’s nothing to do with finding them guilty and needing validation on here at all. I simply asked for opinions and even mentioned in my first post that I could just be overthinking. I’m all for people disagreeing with my thoughts but there is no need to accuse people of having too much time on their hands and calling people busybodies. Just an “ I think your over thinking would have been suffice” but thanks 🙈

Could be they’ve found damp or structural problems they need to have sorted but are waiting for a decent building firm rather than any old cowboy. Or they fancy a remodel/ new kitchen and want to wait to find it or get decent tradespeople in?

A house in our street was empty for 17 years - never put up for sale after the elderly lady died, her family popped in and out just as you describe. For 17 years! They sold it in the end and it’s done up and lived in, which it deserves as it’s a lovely old property. We used to joke it’s where they hid the bodies or grew cannabis but only quietly between ourselves.

@perfumeistooexpensive exactly... it might be something but again it could be nothing but when one houses actions (or what ever you call it) have stood out from everyone else’s on the street it does make you wonder.

I don’t think there is anything at all odd in noticing what’s going on in a neighbouring house which has recently sold. Nor do I think it takes more than a fleeting second to see something and think ‘that’s odd our new neighbours haven’t moved in yet - wonder when they will’.
No doubt it will all resolve itself at some point. Op don’t worry about posters here who are suggesting you’re a ‘busybody’ or ‘have too much time on your hands’ or similar. Absolute nonsense.
When my late mums house finally sold after probate delay I was glad I’d kept her neighbours up to date with how long it was going to be empty and when the sale was going through. They were keeping an eye on it and I was glad of that !

@thepeopleversuswork

Marisishidinginmyattic I'm with you. Who has time to study their neighbours in this way?

There's been a lockdown - of course people have had the time to notice what their neighbours are doing!

BikerChick91 I’m sorry to hear what a bad time you’re having. Very sensible of you to take time and think what to do. I hope things turn oug better than seems possible at present.

This sounds very familiar to me. If this is in a northern town beginning with B and the road is R Avenue they haven’t moved in because she (my cousin) was unexpectedly diagnosed with a life threatening illness in December (although she is fairly young and looks well) and she’s not responding to treatment so she’s staying with relatives in the hope she gets better and can move in soon.

They visit like a PP to sort mail, check metres, keep it clean, check it’s safe and there is no sign or a break in or leaks etc and don’t open blinds fully etc to discourage snoopers. The house is unfurnished. They visit when they can get there from where they are currently living and are shift workers.

Nothing you have described sounds like drug people to me. And an empty house is no risk at all to your children.

And if I am right about the location, they are the loveliest of people and when she IS well enough to move in you couldn’t ask for nicer neighbours.

You have a very overactive imagination.

Since lockdown I've done a comprehensive study, spreadsheets the lot on my neighbour Carl.
I can't even see the street so it was enforced Carl.
I WFH before too.
Couldn't even glance at the birds without his randomness invading.

Ignore the fun sponges OP. I love a good nosey out on to my street. Luckily my living room is on the first floor so I can nose to my heart's content without being spotted

Well my first thought was cannabis factory. Of course you’re going to bloody wonder what’s going on with unusual comings and goings. I’m always wondering how my neighbours manage in a heat wave with not even a small window open. I don’t believe for a minute that all these “ mind your own business” people wouldn’t be curious about some situations. There might be a very boring reason why they haven’t moved in... I dare say not getting a van is not really a legitimate reason but something they’ve just said. I doubt a master criminal would come over to introduce themselves but perhaps that’s part of their plan to throw you off the scent. Cannabis factories need regular attendance though - someone to care for the plants. They absolutely radiate heat so you won’t see any snow on the roof - although I dare say it will be a while until we can test that out.

@HollowTalk

Not to the extent of recognising that the blinds and curtains haven’t changed and to observe every single cars arrival 😂 you’d have to be sat at your window constantly for that!

[quote Marisishidinginmyattic]@HollowTalk

Not to the extent of recognising that the blinds and curtains haven’t changed and to observe every single cars arrival 😂 you’d have to be sat at your window constantly for that![/quote]
Wanna bet?

I’d notice that curtains and blinds hadn’t changed tbh. It’s part of the view you get used to.
Might notice cars coming and going if in front rooms too, although we have thick blinds to stop Nosiness so that involves the effort of having a Peep deliberately

I'd log it with 101.

No, I wouldn't, because I'm not ridiculous

Why would they change the curtains or blinds if they aren’t living there?

Define “odd times”?

What exactly makes you think it’s drugs or “dodgy” or that your children may be at risk?

Cos what I can see is;

Couple buy house before Christmas and decide to move in after Christmas (sensible and not an uncommon decision).

Things don’t move as quickly as planned.

Country goes into lockdown due to a global pandemic in which there are deaths, illnesses, job losses, financial hardships.

For some reason (financial, personal, health, their own house sale fell through etc) they are unable to move in.

They come and check their property every couple of days for a short period of time to make sure everything is safe and in order. They leave blinds shut for safety reasons.

That’s surely the most obvious conclusion?

I’ve bought a new house and haven’t moved in to it. I do go there occasionally just to check all is ok.

My reasons are:
Our movers haven’t been able to collect the furniture from our old house due to a backlog caused by Covid.

One of my parents isn’t very well so I’ve been staying with them and don’t want to leave them just yet.

Nothing dodgy. Just life.

not got a clue.

I'm still not getting why your small children might be at risk. From what, exactly?

I would be more concerned actually if I had neighbours that didn’t notice any strange comings and goings at odd times. I think most people would notice if a car pulled up outside your kitchen window and your house was open plan. @Saucery @Divebar exactly this...... when the neighbours windows are approximately 3ft from your garden fence 😂 it’s fairly obvious without having to make much effort to notice these things.
@Marisishidinginmyattic have I said I notice every car coming and going??? No I said it was very obvious being on such a quiet street when a car pulls up directly outside your kitchen window. If someone parked directly outside your living room window I’m sure you would notice 🤨 if you didn’t I would be more concerned at having a neighbour like that.

Does it impact upon on your day to day life?

Maybe they were fully intending to move in and were freaked the fuck out by the curtain monitors in the street.

@FlouncerInDenial did I say that was what I was going to do.... no don’t think I did. Why would you even suggest it? I just asked for opinions didn’t it!!

Mi5 - safe house, cannabis farm, or cliff Richards new home.
That’s the three options randomly debated around here if a house goes unoccupied longer than the village seniors deem polite.

@NameChange84 all I said was being they don’t stay there, come and go at odd time’s and always have the curtains closed it seemed strange. Other people mentioned the drug thing first which yes had crossed my mind in which case I wouldn’t be happy about having my kids next door to somewhere like that. I assume you would be happy with drug growing neighbours 😂 more to the point I only asked what other people thought not that I’d phoned the police and reported serious crime 🤨

They could just be doing bits and pieces around the house, painting walls, changing fittings, measuring for carpets, little bits when they have time, there's lots of reasons why they'd want to go over to their own house before having moved in fully.