Declaring boundary disputes in House Sale

[Hazelflies]

Posting here for traffic.

Looking for some advice from wise and knowledgable MNetters regarding how a settled boundary dispute may affect a house sale.

My father needs to sell his house. He has recently agreed to settle a 15 year plus boundary dispute with his neighbour. This involved two civil cases (not to directly determine the boundary, but related), and the appointment of a surveyor who determined the boundary. All that remains is to register the new boundary with Land Registry.

Obviously the history of the dispute remains with a very large amount of letters between them regarding the dispute, as well as the court cases.

The house is in a very sought after location but how likely is this history with the neighbours to reduce the value of the house?

Just to clarify. DF and his neighbours have both agreed to the new boundary so it’s a settled dispute.

If it is legally settled and amicable, probably not if any.

Make sure the boundary is registered with the land registry before putting the house up for sale.

@bilbodog yes that’s next on our list regardless of putting it on the market.

He would like to sell but he has said if he would have to take a cut on the sale price he would rather invest the spare money he has into an extension and stay put. We’re just trying to find out what the better option is.

If it is settled legally then surely no issue.

I'd be put off if the nature of the dispute implied the neighbours would be a nightmare. Were the two civil cases that were only related to the boundary other matters that signify the neighbours are a problem? Or is it clearly about your dad vs neighbours and they'd be glad when he's gone so there'd likely be no future issues? I guess if he's considering staying then it can't be too bad,

One of the civil claims was against them brought by my DF - they lowered the level of ground on their side for an extension and failed to build a retaining wall, causing my DFs shed to start collapsing.
The other claim was brought by them regarding access to put a gutter up on their extension (very long story but the crux of it is they built their extension too close to the existing boundary to be able to erect a gutter then they disputed the boundary. DF has agreed to move the boundary after so many years of stress).

They are nightmare neighbours in the sense that they’ve called the council on him a few times etc and are known in the area for not paying contractors etc

However, not paying contractors wouldn’t be relevant - but would DF have to declare to buyers that neighbours had made complaints to the council about him (never came to anything, just a method of harassment by them).

I can't speak from a legal point of view, but it would put me off I'm afraid. I'd be worried I would be moving next to nightmare neighbours.
I might be bring over cautious tho, having had bad neighbours previously.
Worth putting it on the market and seeking what happens? He doesn't have to sell if he only gets reduced offers.

Hmm yes, afraid that would put me off too. But test the waters. If it is a very sought after area and the price is right, hopefully he'll find a buyer.