Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

387 replies

1988TBT · 16/11/2021 07:18

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?

OP posts:
tcjotm · 16/11/2021 11:22

@LindaEllen not always bollocks. Depends on jurisdiction. Realestate agents here fall over themselves to tell you. They’d rather a slightly lower sale price (and our real estate market is nuts so it’s unlikely to really make much difference ) than get in trouble after a case where RE agents were fined and had to repay the deposit www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-07/what-is-stigmatised-property-and-what-are-your-rights/9911608

ChequeredHistory · 16/11/2021 11:28

Yes it would. I think the awareness that someone had had their life ended there in a brutal way would always be there and make me feel sad that this had happened to someone in my house . There’s no logic to the feeling but it would be how I feel I think.

Kanaloa · 16/11/2021 11:32

It wouldn’t bother me a bit but as you’re buying to rent I think that could be a problem because it possibly would bother others.

ElsieMc · 16/11/2021 11:33

I viewed a property where the lady in the lake had been murdered by her husband. Her body was stored in the chest freezer. He eventually went to prison, many years after the murder was committed and always stated his innocence. He died in Prison. He was there when we viewed.

If we had bought, we would have had to move out as land etc was dug up. Such a sad story for all concerned, both families.

Cravey · 16/11/2021 11:37

We bought a house many years ago that had a murder happen. Was so cheap we jumped at the chance. Totally redecorated. Never bothered us at all. Once we had it how we wanted it we lived there quite happily for around 6 years. Sold to go bigger and didn't have an issue selling.

sbhydrogen · 16/11/2021 11:40

I don't think it would bother me. Couldn't be sure until I had the keys 😜

phishy · 16/11/2021 11:43

@1988TBT

Going to view this week, and hope to be told the story. Otherwise I will be asking them. Already knowing full well
It’s not a story, it’s a woman who was killed.

In a way, you’re benefiting from her murder and that can’t be helped but to call it a story is crass.

EmeraldShamrock · 16/11/2021 11:45

Having lived in a house where a girl had hung herself in my wardrobe, and it was the only house I've ever lived in that if I were in it on my own, I had to have every light on in the house and could not sleep until my parents got home. 😱
That would scare me. I babysat in a house years ago the previous owner died in the hallway he was there 3 days, I couldn't stop focusing on the hallway against the front door.
Tbf it depends on how desperate you are.
I'd buy anywhere within my budget.q

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/11/2021 11:48

Wouldn't care. Bargain!
Given that most of London is a graveyard anyway.. and plenty fo places have had people die there

Excited101 · 16/11/2021 11:50

I’m not at all woo, but that would massively put me off. I’m not sure I’d be able to stop thinking about it.

FlickerBeat · 16/11/2021 11:54

Wouldn't mind at all. But, I do love all things morbid.

What do you actually think will happen?

SenecaFallsRedux · 16/11/2021 12:00

I don't think I could buy or live in a house where a murder happened, especially if the victim had been a child.

daisyjgrey · 16/11/2021 12:02

Why are people put off? Mystical bad karma?

UseOfWeapons · 16/11/2021 12:04

Wouldn’t bother me if everything else was right, but I’d probably smudge the house with sage.

TractorAndHeadphones · 16/11/2021 12:08

@daisyjgrey

Why are people put off? Mystical bad karma?
Perception - there was a study in one of the Freakonomics books where people surveyed said they'd rather wear a jumper dropped in manure. Compared to a freshly washed one formerly worn by a mass murderer.
Phphion · 16/11/2021 12:09

Years ago, I was chatting with our then-letting agent about a local murder that was going through the courts at the time that had happened in a bedsit they managed. It was a fairly gory murder where a man had been repeatedly stabbed and bled to death.

The letting agent told me that their only requirement for re-renting it was that the landlord had it professionally cleaned. As the furniture belonged to the landlord, he could even leave that in place if he wanted, as long as it was cleaned.

The agent also said that they did not need to tell prospective tenants about the murder and if they subsequently found out from the neighbours or whoever, they were not required to release the tenants from their contract but might do so if the landlord agreed as a gesture of goodwill.

I did find that a bit off-putting.

A different type of murder, in a place that had been properly redecorated, rented from someone who was honest and upfront about it, then I probably wouldn't mind.

WheelieBinPrincess · 16/11/2021 12:09

@TractorAndHeadphones that’s really quite fascinating!

Owlink · 16/11/2021 12:12

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.

bowchickawowwoww · 16/11/2021 12:18

Yes it would put me off! Negative energy will be in that house forever

Katkinsgreyy · 16/11/2021 12:19

I don't think it would bother me.
When I was younger, most definitely!! However now I think I'd be ok with it.

I mean I haven't known the full history of any house I've lived in! So the house I'm in right now someone could have been killed in and I'm blissfully ignorant

Tibby99 · 16/11/2021 12:28

Hmm for me, I think it would depend on how long ago the murder as committed. If it was more recent, the victim would be in my thoughts a lot and I think I'd find myself thinking of their death frequently.

If it had happened, say, 15 years or more beforehand I don't think it would phase me.

Each to their own though.

Kanaloa · 16/11/2021 12:29

I didn’t think about the fact that (given the pathetic sentences murderers of women get) this man will likely be released in the future and might show up at the house. I would want some further information around whether that was likely etc because that could worry me.

Not any woo ideas of ‘bad energy’ or haunting, but yes he could show up there.

daisyjgrey · 16/11/2021 12:36

@TractorAndHeadphones That is the most brilliantly mad factoid. I'm off to Google!

Helenahandbasketbing · 16/11/2021 12:38

Of course. As long as the murderer didn’t still live there.

thedancingbear · 16/11/2021 12:41

@daisyjgrey

Why are people put off? Mystical bad karma?
Ghosts. You have to declare them well you sell up, in the same way as if you have had a boundary dispute.