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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Toptotoeunicolour · 27/03/2021 11:57

I would think it's a bit weird. What next? Will you be asking to dig up plants of theirs that you like, buy some of the nicer clothes off her back?

friendlycat · 27/03/2021 11:57

I personally would not sell but they may be willing to. I agree that the sq footage of the garage and land will have a decent value attached to it. Then there are the legalities and both sets of solicitor fees - yours and theirs.

Ultimately you will be adding value to your property and they would be devaluing theirs.

GothamGirl1970 · 27/03/2021 11:58

It’s a 50% 50% chance. Good odds especially if they don’t seem to use it. The money might be welcome by them. If they want to keep it, all they will say is “sorry no”.

Even if they say no you have expressed interest and if they change their mind they will come straight to you!

Go for it!

Kazzyhoward · 27/03/2021 11:59

Nothing wrong in asking, but don't be put out if they tell to you sod off!

Kazzyhoward · 27/03/2021 11:59

Whether they use it or not is irrelevant. It could reduce the value of their house or make it harder to sell if it doesn't have a garage.

MargaretThursday · 27/03/2021 11:59

I think you're wrong in saying that it's worth more to you than to them. You've both got garages away from the house, with access into your gardens.

If the neighbours wanted to buy your garage, how much would you want for it? Honestly? How much would compensate for having to move all their stuff out, being left with a house that may be harder to sell, and the devaluation of their property.
I suspect you may find it's cheaper to move to a bigger property, by the time you've paid for the garage and the rebuild etc. And do you need to get planning permission too!

Also have you thought how much real space will having an extra garage give you? If you really need more space, then I wouldn't think it would give you that much, it'll only be some storage. As someone who has too many things in storage, I still don't think having an extra garage would make that much difference to us.
Or are you thinking of turning it into an office or something?

Itsmeagainandagain · 27/03/2021 12:02

My uncle exchanged part of his land to have use of a driveway that was owned by a farmer, it cost money in lawyers fees to have it sorted but was done fairly and amicable, as posters said if you don't ask you don't get, though it may devalue their home

CounsellorTroi · 27/03/2021 12:03

Are the two garages attached or different buildings?

dontsaveusername · 27/03/2021 12:04

factor in the legal conveyancing cost. Maybe just rent it?

Nanny0gg · 27/03/2021 12:06

@ElleDubloo

Thanks for your replies.

We don’t know them very well, but have been friendly when we’ve occasionally met. They’re rather elderly and don’t go out much.

I feel a diagram would help clarify?

Our plan would be to demolish both garages and rebuild as a double, and have a double driveway.

Our thinking is that their garage is worth much more to us than to them, given it’s position, and we’re willing to pay accordingly... Blush

Any more thoughts as to the most polite way to go about it?

It's not. Their house will be worth less on resale without a garage
notanothertakeaway · 27/03/2021 12:08

I wouldn't sell to you. I woukd worry you might demolish both garages and build a new house there. I wouldn't mind you asking once, if there was no pressure

AliceSprings123 · 27/03/2021 12:09

Now I no longer have a car, I rent out my attached garage.

TheUndoingProject · 27/03/2021 12:10

No harm in asking. I’d have a carefully think about exactly what you’re proposing legally and then put it in a note so that they can think about it at their leisure. I’d make clear there’d be no hard feelings at all if they declined.

andyoldlabour · 27/03/2021 12:12

Boundaries, access, land registry, property devaluation - what could possibly go wrong? What if the property is part of a will?

SynchroSwimmer · 27/03/2021 12:20

Lots of great advice above.
I would say don’t show your hand and your intentions to your neighbour - yet

“....meant to ask you, if you would ever consider looking at renting out your garage space.....would you let is know?’ is a good way to start a conversation.

Then depending on their reactions you will know if there is a likely way forward from that.

(3 people have “shown me their hands” in asking me outright if they can buy part of my garden, I found their very direct choice of wording was a bit alienating tbh - but at least I now know that if I did sell - there are now up to 7 potential interested parties - and it could go to auction!)

GnomeDePlume · 27/03/2021 12:22

We are thinking of possibly doing similar at some point.

I would phrase it something like:

Dear Mr & Mrs Neighbours

'We would be interested in buying your garage and driveway from you if you were interested in selling it to us.

Our plan would be to construct a double garage and driveway to replace the existing garages and driveways.

If we were to explore the possibility of this, all valuation, land registry and legal fees would be met by us'

Please dont hesitate to contact us if you would like any more information before making a decision

Kind regards

ElleDubloo
Your address

Putting in your message what your plan for the garage is and who would pay for the costs involved plus leaving it open for them to ask more questions may reassure them that they are not going to be railroaded into a decision.

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 27/03/2021 12:27

It's not next to your house - it's next to your garage. Is renting their garage not an option? Presumably you want to extend and need the land their garage is on to make things workable.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 27/03/2021 12:30

@IstandwithJackieWeaver

It's not next to your house - it's next to your garage. Is renting their garage not an option? Presumably you want to extend and need the land their garage is on to make things workable.
They’ve said the plan is to knock the single garages down and replace with a double garage structure so I doubt renting would be useful.

@GnomeDePlume’s note wording is clear, polite and to the point. I like it.

Iusedtoliveinsanfrancisco · 27/03/2021 12:31

I’d say 10% if value if house, and much more if possibility of planning permission for house there.

AdultierAdult · 27/03/2021 12:35

Just ask. If they're elderly they may plan for this to be their last house and prefer to have the cash. I don't think it's rude as long as there is no pressure!

GoWalkabout · 27/03/2021 12:41

If they want to release some capital and don't mind the hit to their house value then you might be in luck.

AliceMcK · 27/03/2021 12:42

I don’t think it’s rude. We never used our garage except for storage. Our neighbours actually parked in front of it as they had 4 cars including a van.

They can only say no....

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 27/03/2021 12:46

I missed that bit @BalladOfBarryAndFreda - great username btw

ProfessorSlocombe · 27/03/2021 13:06

As many say, don't ask, don't get.

However there are a fucktonne of legal implications which might be different between Scotland and England and Wales - maybe ask in Legal.

Also, if the property the garage is part of is mortgaged, there's another wrinkle in that the lender will need to agree. And that's going to be another snout in the trough in the event they agree.

HedgeOwl · 27/03/2021 13:09

Maybe send a note? So they can think about it and not feel they have to immediately respond?

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