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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask my neighbours to sell me their garage?

214 replies

ElleDubloo · 27/03/2021 09:46

I want to buy my neighbours’ garage. It’s next to my house. They don’t use it but they probably store some stuff in it. Would it be rude to just knock on their door and ask?

OP posts:
LST · 27/03/2021 10:07

You don't ask you don't get. What have you got to lose!

TeenMinusTests · 27/03/2021 10:10

Would you also be interested in renting it, or just buying?
(Thinking what their response might be).

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.

BriarsHollow · 27/03/2021 10:13

Why’s it rude to ask? They can always say no.

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 Hmm 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 10:13

I think you can ask, but be prepared for them to say no. Do you also want to buy the land it’s on? Or are you looking to dismantle and rebuild? Because quite frankly both are likely more expensive than just building your own on yout own land.

OneEpisode · 27/03/2021 10:14

I would prefer a card to a door knock, unless you know them well.

Makingnumber2 · 27/03/2021 10:28

I agree with @OneEpisode- would prefer card so as not to be put on the spot.

Whammyyammy · 27/03/2021 10:29

Agree, write a nice card. Thry have time to think it over, on the spot might be a direct no

FelicityPike · 27/03/2021 10:32

You can ask, worst thing they can say is no.

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 ?.

HelpMeh · 27/03/2021 10:35

How much are you expecting to pay for it? I'd charge a lot to lose such a volume of space from my house.

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.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 27/03/2021 10:37

No harm in asking. You might also want to consider asking if they'd rent it to you - else they may be concerned about the impact on property value if this isn't their forever home (or even if it is).

BashfulClam · 27/03/2021 10:37

As this is effectively buying a structure within their boundary you will need legal advice of both parties wish to go ahead.

justanotherneighinparadise · 27/03/2021 10:38

Perhaps you could pop something through the door about renting it? Then over time you could discuss buying it from them.

ElderMillennial · 27/03/2021 10:39

I don't think OP is proposing to move the garage. If she had the space she could just build her own, surely?

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

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..."
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.

Poppins2016 · 27/03/2021 10:41

Someone I know successfully bought their neighbours outbuilding/the land it sat on.

You don't ask, you don't get!

Bluntness100 · 27/03/2021 10:41

@ElderMillennial

I don't think OP is proposing to move the garage. If she had the space she could just build her own, surely?
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.

Knitterbabe · 27/03/2021 10:44

If you are proposing to buy the land you will be devaluing their property and potentially make it more difficult to sell, so I think it unlikely, but worth asking. Maybe a rental arrangement could work,.

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