AIBU?
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
user1493413286 · 27/03/2021 10:10
It’s not rude; my neighbours asked this and we politely said sorry no we bought the house because we wanted two garages. They accepted this and it’s been fine. It’s only if you’re then rude when they say no and tell them they don’t use it etc that it then becomes unreasonable
Northofsomewhere · 27/03/2021 10:12
How is it attached to their property? Is it free standing or part of their house? I think this will probably impact the likely response you'll get from the owner regardless of how they use it.
I do actually think it's a little rude and if a neighbour came and asked to buy part of my property I'd think they were a little odd. I understand why you might want to extra space but it still seems strange to try and buy it off your next door neighbour. Although the above poster is right, you won't know if you don't ask.
MargaretThursday · 27/03/2021 10:13
How well do you know them?
We don't use our garage as such, but store things in it and I wouldn't want to lose it.
If a neighbour I knew well said "if you want to sell the garage, we'd be interested." that would be fine.
If it was a neighbour I didn't know I think I'd feel a little bit 
to get that out of the blue.
But garages on this estate are premium. There isn't one per house. They sell upwards from £30K easily. You can by a house in my parents' village for not much more.
Bluntness100 · 27/03/2021 10:34
Personally I’d prefer the personal approach with “no need for a decision now, but let me know and no worries if not”
But you need to be very clear as to what you’re asking. Is it the garage you want to buy and you’ll,move it to your own land, or is it the land it’s on as well and you want to amend both sets of title deeds. Have you thought about how you will do it, Ie habe the land valued, the legal costs, the devaluation of their property ?.
ElderMillennial · 27/03/2021 10:36
Do you ever see them to talk to or out in the garden? Rather than knocking on the door to ask could you mention it when you see them and not a "can I buy your garage from you?" but a "I was meaning to ask you whether you would consider selling your garage to me. I realise this might seem like a strange request so maybe give it some thought and we can discuss it another time..."
Bluntness100 · 27/03/2021 10:36
Also if you’re just buying their garage and intend to move it to your own land, you need to think about the state of the ground after removal, and the compensation required to make good.
Either way, before approaching them you need to be clear on what you are wishing to buy, all the implications and do the maths on associated costs.
memberofthewedding · 27/03/2021 10:40
But you need to be very clear as to what you’re asking. Is it the garage you want to buy and you’ll,move it to your own land, or is it the land it’s on as well and you want to amend both sets of title deeds. Have you thought about how you will do it, Ie habe the land valued, the legal costs, the devaluation of their property?.
Correct - lots of potential legalities involved. Since the benefit is for you then it would be your call to pay for them, so think first about all the implications.
Bluntness100 · 27/03/2021 10:40
@ElderMillennial
Well that doesn’t work. She either says
“I wish to buy your garage, have it dismantled and I will rebuild on my own land and make good the land I removed it from and any devaluation in your property from losing it”
Or
“ I wish to buy the garage and the land it stands on,, we will have it valued by three agents, pay legal costs as well as to have both sets of title deeds amended, and compensate you for the devaluation of your property for loosing rhe garage and the land”
She can’t just say “I want to buy your garage” . It’s incomplete.
Bluntness100 · 27/03/2021 10:41
@ElderMillennial
Then she’s not just proposing to buy the garage, she is proposing to buy the land it’s on, inc access. Which has major cost implications.
ElderMillennial · 27/03/2021 10:42
She can’t just say “I want to buy your garage” . It’s incomplete.
I'm not suggesting thats what she says but I agree she needs to discuss the specifics but it might be a bit of a shock the first time she mentions it. If they are interested they can discuss the how and how much. It will affect the value of both properties so not to be entered lightly.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.