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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want to buy the house but only with the land?

108 replies

Sp3849 · 28/10/2021 18:08

So we went to view a house we loved. A rural farmhouse with small parcel of land however on viewing realised it has another parcel to the side of it with caravan on. Asked the agent who it belonged to and they were vague. So before we made an offer I knocked the farm next door. To mainly discuss the access track that runs over thier land and they told us that small parcel of land next to the house with caravan was actually owned by the house In question. The grandchildren of lady who had lived thier (now deceased) frequently partied there. We then went and had a nose and there were beer bottles etc everywhere. I then referred this back to agent who then came back with that the family wanted to keep that part of the land to continue to stay in the caravan a few times a year and share the houses water supply (a well). We have gone back and said we would happily buy the house for the guide price and pay additional 15k for land which is approx 1/3 acre but won't consider buying it without it. My primary concern is that 1. Grandchildren could still party there and 2. What's stopping them renting caravan out etc? It is our responsibility to maintain track etc which they would also need to use to access caravan. Also where would they go to toilet etc. It is currently linked to house electrics which obviously it would be disconnected. I worry it could cause alot of issues. They are still yet to respond to our offer (made 8 days ago) they have had no other offers. Why are they taking so long to respond its driving me insane. Should I ring and put a deadline on the offer? Are we being unreasonable with concerns?

OP posts:

Soontobe60 · 29/10/2021 09:09

Are you buying with a mortgage? If so, you may not get the mortgage in the circumstances you describe. My dd struggled to get one for a house on a private road - eventually did via Halifax. With other issues such as a shared well, other people accessing their land via your land. All sounds too much like hard work! Speak to your mortgage provider before you go any further.

MaggieFS · 29/10/2021 09:14

Sounds like a legal minefield. And it doesn't sound like they have even had legal advice as to if they can even do what they propose, given they don't even own the track! Plus they sound like a bit of a nightmare.

If you're prepared to, you'd need to pay a good solicitor a lot to sort all of this out, before you even get to exchange.

For me it would be all the land or nothing.

Leftbutcameback · 29/10/2021 09:15

It’s unlikely the title will show you the land the sellers intend to retain. The title will probably be a single one, with a transfer of part taking place if they retain the caravan land. Rights to use utilities etc would need to be negotiated and added to the transfer so OP if you were to go ahead with the part purchase your legal fees would be more than a simple purchase (although it’s not complicated). Personally I think it’s poor form that the EA don’t have a red line plan showing the extent of the property being sold and I think probably the sellers are chancing their arm with this one. I don’t think I would go ahead without the land, because it sounds like it will be a pain!

Lightswitch123 · 29/10/2021 09:15

@ViceLikeBlip

You are not being at all unreasonable. I would 100% not buy the house as you describe it at present.

Agreed

Leftbutcameback · 29/10/2021 09:17

I think I would also do as you suggested and put a deadline on the offer. That will concentrate their minds and any family discussions. I would say maybe a week, and then the offer is withdrawn

billy1966 · 29/10/2021 10:10

Sounds like a disaster and that the EA was being deliberately obtuse.

I wouldn't touch the house with a "party van" next door sharing your entrance, not for half what you are paying.

Keep looking.

You would need a very thorough solicitor to be on the ball with all checks IF they agree to sell all the land to you.

I would be very suspicious.

It's a lot of money to end up screwed over.

You certainly don't want them selling that parcel on in a few years and it being built on.

They want their cake and to eat it.

300k and a party house too!🙄

Beautiful3 · 29/10/2021 10:43

I wouldn't touch that at all. Imagine what happens when they sell it on. It could be built on, new permanent neighbour, using your well and crossing into your property. For me it'd be all or nothing.

HJ40 · 09/11/2021 08:24

What a confusing situation! Any update, OP?

JumperandJacket · 09/11/2021 08:27

When we were looking for a rural house we saw a few where the seller planned to keep a bit of land close to the house for camping etc. It was a complete deal-breaker for us each time- the last thing we would have wanted is the seller hanging about like a bad smell. In your case where there’s a caravan etc I would not even consider buying, I’m afraid.

TyrannosaurusRights · 09/11/2021 08:34

I’d leave the offer another week but start searching again.

And I’d make sure if that EA had anything even remotely worth seeing I prioritised doing so - a deadline helps but a house with only one offer on it. The EA will definitely push the family (for their commission) once you’re obviously looking elsewhere

Bargoed · 09/11/2021 08:35

Waves from Wales x The fact this was concealed is what worries me - you could have spent alot of money before this came to light! So they are therfore either naive and think they can just carry on as is or were hoping you got too far into the purchase before this came to light.

Dontcryformeallegra · 09/11/2021 08:39

Of course do not proceed unless they accept your offer.

HeronLanyon · 09/11/2021 08:47

Absolutely no way would I consider this. Even with the small parcel of land aren’t they going to be rather close anyway ? Now you know they’ve been slightly problematic neighbours and knowing they would simply relocate their party caravan ?
I’ve walked away from dream home after estate agent described field nearby as ‘mixed’ when I asked about it. Mix of old caravans, small livestock enclosure, rotting cars etc. Still think of that house (with unbelievable views and land at front) then I remember that field at the back ! Estate agent really didn’t want me walking the land so I wouldn’t see it.

LakieLady · 09/11/2021 08:49

I think the vendors were hoping to keep this quiet and therefore I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.

Although it has occurred to me that if the track is built on land belonging to the farmer, and use by others is only permitted to access the house you're thinking of buying, it might be that once they've sold the house, they have no right to access the party field.

Which would amuse me no end, and mean that their party field was of no use to them whatsoever.

Chimley · 09/11/2021 08:54

You're right to be hesitant about what else they're hiding but downloading the LR details (£6 for deeds and map together) should put your mind at rest re ownership of all the land. If it's all under one title still then your solicitor would have pointed this out anyway at some point. Some people really are oblivious when trying to hide stuff.

pasturesgreen · 09/11/2021 08:54

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole unless they accept your offer. You'll have no end of trouble if the previous owner's grandchildren still have access to the land and caravan.

ChalfontPark · 09/11/2021 08:55

You sound overinvested already. If they want to keep the piece of land for their own use, they are perfectly entitled to do so.

Obviously if they do sell the house, a lawyer will have to make arrangements to formalise access rights and they will need to sort out independent services (electricity / sewerage).

You don't have to buy the house from them if what they're offering doesn't work for you!

Tulipomania · 09/11/2021 09:04

They will be planning to develop the plot of land with the caravan and probably hope to build a house on it.

The caravan will be used as precedence for residential accommodation.

You are right to be cautious and insist on buying the additional land too, or walk away.

BackInBlackAgain · 09/11/2021 09:17

@LakieLady

I think the vendors were hoping to keep this quiet and therefore I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.

Which would amuse me no end, and mean that their party field was of no use to them whatsoever.

With them being CF already i honestly think it wouldnt bother them at all if they didnt have permission to use the lane to get to the land, they would still use it. Unfortunately this would be a civil matter so OP couldnt even ring the police to stop them using the lane.

HoikingUpMyBigGirlPantss · 09/11/2021 09:35

Chase up the EA and check online with Land registry (only a couple of £) ... but a "secret" party caravan with shared utilities/access, and previous neighbour issues, that would be a no from me too.

godmum56 · 09/11/2021 09:36

Yanbu and I would do the same

BorryMum · 09/11/2021 09:39

I don't see what is cheeky about it, they want to keep a piece of the land for future use. They aren't going to be teenagers for ever and maybe want the land as they have nice memories of the place. However I wouldn't purchase it unless the land was included purely because it could cause you future problems. It's not cheeky to pick and choose what they want to sell though, it belongs to them and they can sell it how they like.

MapleMay11 · 09/11/2021 09:40

From what you've said, the land was never for sale and they don't want to sell. You're not in a position to make demands so walk away.

Yuledo · 09/11/2021 09:44

Big reg flags waving in the wind.

RubyViolet · 09/11/2021 10:06

Give them a week to consider your offer.
If it’s a no then go back with your best and final offer and a 48 hour deadline.
If it’s still no just walk away, l have experience of a land dispute over access and utilities, it was not something l would want to go through ever again.

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