Page 10 | Would you live in a house where there had been a murder?

1988TBT · 2021-11-16T07:18:01+00:00

Just that really… DP and I looking at buying a second property to rent out. It’s underpriced and chain free… because 18 months ago the husband murdered his wife in one of the bedrooms. It’s put me off a good amount but DP is still keen to go ahead with the sale and says there will be lots of people that won’t want t rent it but it won’t put EVERYONE off. Would it put you off?

MilduraS · 16/11/2021 12:56

It wouldn't bother me but I'd expect it to continue to affect the resale value for a while.

RandomUser18282 · 16/11/2021 13:01

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NormanStangerson · 16/11/2021 13:02

Ghosts. You have to declare them well you sell up, in the same way as if you have had a boundary dispute

“And if you’d like to follow me up here into the attic, this would make a great master suite. Planning permission shouldn’t be a problem, next door did something similar.

“Don’t mind the sitting tenant there, that’s the ghost of the serial killer ol’ Bill Bentknuckles, he used to knock off people for money. Always helped the old dears cross a road though, heart of gold, that one. And he’d make a good hat rest.”

SweeneyPlodd · 16/11/2021 13:04

@stonebrambleboy

I'd buy it redecorate and ask the local priest to bless the house.

😂😂😂😂

I would buy it, yes

Ilovemycat13 · 16/11/2021 13:07

Hmm no it would put me off I’m afraid. But then I’m quite ‘woo’ and do believe in ghosts and spirits that may not have moved on etc.

Bluesheep8 · 16/11/2021 13:17

Bad things have happened in many houses. The difference here is that you know about it.
Do the people who are adamant they wouldn't live in a house where something bad has happened only live in New builds?

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/11/2021 13:54

@Bluesheep8

Bad things have happened in many houses. The difference here is that you know about it. Do the people who are adamant they wouldn't live in a house where something bad has happened only live in New builds?

This is my logic. I actually do believe in ‘woo’ (if I walk into a place and get a bad feeling I won’t buy it). But the fact of a murder alone won’t put me off.

thedancingbear · 16/11/2021 14:02

@Handsoffstrikesagain

thedancingbear could that be a hint of sarcasm I detect there 😂

Don't take the piss. My Auntie and Uncle had Roman centurions they failed to disclose and they got sued by their buyer. Apparently the husband physically shat himself when he first saw them.

They tried to claim off the surveyors because it had been missed in the survey but they told them to shove it.

supadupapupascupa · 16/11/2021 14:17

Wouldn't bother me. The house didn't commit murder did it?

On most spots on earth a human or creature has died at some point in history. Many in a dreadful way.

That's the past, it has no bearing on the future.

RandomUser18282 · 16/11/2021 14:34

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Blondeshavemorefun · 16/11/2021 14:41

It wouldn’t bother me

Tho I still live in the house where my husband killed his self and I found him

I like my house

One bad memory

Lots of happy ones

DixonD · 16/11/2021 14:49

I’ve spent several nights in a house where someone murdered his parents in a really horrific way back in the late 60s.

Believe me, the association is still strong there!

PickupaPenguin8 · 16/11/2021 15:34

@Owlink

It would put me off. I wouldn't want to live in accommodation that used to be a "lunatic asylum" or a prison either. I thought I didn't believe in such things but then spent a 2 week holiday in a friend's house in France which was just .... well, haunted I suppose is the word. Children & I felt it as soon as we stepped out of the car, DP just said "Isn't it peaceful?" & I thought you've got to be joking. Then we went in and it got worse. Most constantly, utterly frightened I've ever been.

What happened?

PinkSyCo · 16/11/2021 15:42

Yes it would put me off and I would be really angry if I wasn’t told of it’s history before moving in. Tell your DH to stop being greedy, or how about he lets out your place and moves into this bargain property himself.

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 16/11/2021 15:49

A friend rented a house where there had been a murder - she had been out of the UK for 2 years and was unaware when she signed the lease. She found out because people would randomly leave bouquets on the doorstep. That was not ideal, but not too horrendous. Then one day she came home to find the family and friends of the murder victim holding a remembrance/vigil in the back garden. That was one step too far for her and she moved out ASAP.

ittakes2 · 16/11/2021 15:52

Wouldn't the real estate agents have to declare something like this?

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 16/11/2021 15:53

Another acquaintance bought a house without the disclosure that the former occupant had hanged himself from the bannisters. They found out on the day they moved in and moved straight out the next day. There were legal proceedings due to the aforesaid failure to disclose I think.

stealingbeauty · 16/11/2021 15:57

I wouldn’t live there. I’m also a bit woo so I believe that energies can linger.

FlowerFlour · 16/11/2021 16:18

@Owlink

It would put me off. I wouldn't want to live in accommodation that used to be a "lunatic asylum" or a prison either. I thought I didn't believe in such things but then spent a 2 week holiday in a friend's house in France which was just .... well, haunted I suppose is the word. Children & I felt it as soon as we stepped out of the car, DP just said "Isn't it peaceful?" & I thought you've got to be joking. Then we went in and it got worse. Most constantly, utterly frightened I've ever been.

Oh no Owlink, ending up in a haunted place is one of my worst nightmares.

JadeTrinket · 16/11/2021 16:38

@ittakes2

Wouldn't the real estate agents have to declare something like this?

UK Consumer Protection I think dating from 2013 says that estate agents and sellers alike have to disclose any information of which they're aware that could effect the value of a property, and this specifically includes murder and suicide.

However, there's this 2004 legal case which states the earlier situation --
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/3492936.stm
-- where some people bought a house in Wakefield which they found out had been the site of a child murder and sued the people who sold it to them for damages after they sold at a loss (the vendors had sold after they became aware of the murder themselves). It was rejected at the Court of Appeal.

Like anything, though it's caveat emptor -- if this kind of thing bothers you, I think it's your job, if you're considering buying a house, to do your own research, talk to neighbours, Google the address etc. Or ask the vendors.

I sold a house in England in August, and certainly no documentation asked me whether I was aware of any crime on the property, and neither did the estate agent.

thedancingbear · 16/11/2021 17:05

Like anything, though it's caveat emptor

That's what the Roman centurions in my house said when I complained.

Glitterblue · 16/11/2021 17:14

I think it would put me off. But then again, someone could have been murdered in our house and I wouldn't have a clue. Someone is bound to have died in it at some point, it was built in the 1930s.

XenoBitch · 16/11/2021 17:26

My house is about 130 years old, so I would not be surprised about any deaths that have occurred in it.
A murder would not have put me off.

5keletor · 16/11/2021 17:30

I don't see why it would put you off, if the murderer is no longer at large (even then, unlikely to go back to the scene of the crime) and you didn't know the person, therefore bringing back bad memories.
Most houses will have had someone die in them, you just won't know.

Liverpoolarefab · 16/11/2021 17:31

No way would I live there !