Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you tell someone about a lack of planning permission on house they've put an offer on?

15 replies

sandy259 · 24/03/2022 21:41

Have heard from another neighbour that the tenants next door have found out landlord is going to be selling the house they're living in and are planning on putting in an offer so that it won't be put on the market.

They've been there since the start of 2020 but I haven't gotten to know them what with covid and all but from the brief interactions I've had with them I like them and think they'd be good neighbours long term.

My dilemma is that part of what they're proposing to buy is an unauthorised development. It was reported and the owner claimed it was no longer being used as living accomodation, it was and has continued to be. TBH, I hated it and feel uncomfortable that I can see into someones bedroom and vice versa but have learned to live with it.

I have no idea if the tenants know its unauthorised and are ok with that or if they are unaware. As far as I know they do not need a mortgage as they sold a house in a much more affluent area and were only renting as a stop gap, so there would not be as much trouble as if they needed a mortgage but the lack of planning on part of the property may mean they have difficulty selling on.

Should I leave it be and leave it up to their solicitor to flag? I don't want to come across as that horrible NDN going on about planning regulations and make them feel unwelcome but at the same time if I was in their position I think I'd want to know

OP posts:
mmarket · 24/03/2022 21:43

Their solicitors will flag it so I wouldn't wade in, if I were you

luxxlisbon · 24/03/2022 21:44

So weird that you apparently don’t know them well but know they have a stack off cash and will be buying mortgage free.

I wouldn’t get involved to be honest, planning can be granted retrospectively and if there is a lack of planning it will come out in very basic conveyancing searches.

AllOfUsAreDead · 24/03/2022 21:46

I'd be shocked if their solicitor didn't flag it. They'd be very bad if they didn't.

sandy259 · 24/03/2022 21:47

@luxxlisbon

So weird that you apparently don’t know them well but know they have a stack off cash and will be buying mortgage free.

I wouldn’t get involved to be honest, planning can be granted retrospectively and if there is a lack of planning it will come out in very basic conveyancing searches.

Heard that from the neighbour who told me they were putting an offer on
OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 24/03/2022 21:49

Heard that from the neighbour who told me they were putting an offer on

It's all hearsay and none of your business to be honest.

They will need to have surveys etc so I"m sure it will all come out in the wash. You'll just come across as being a gossipy, nosey neighbour.

LIZS · 24/03/2022 21:50

How long ago was it built? Council planning enforcement might yet take action, although you mention to tenants that of course it is not habitable accommodation and should be valued as such.

ClaryFairchild · 24/03/2022 21:53

Say - "Oh, does that mean the planning issue has been sorted? That's great!"

When they ask "what planning permission".

"Oh, so sorry, I thought you knew. There was some sort of an issue with planning permission. I'm sure your solicitor will help you out with that if you raise it with them."

sandy259 · 24/03/2022 21:56

@LIZS

How long ago was it built? Council planning enforcement might yet take action, although you mention to tenants that of course it is not habitable accommodation and should be valued as such.
The structure itself is quite old, no idea how old but it was converted into accomodation in 2019. It was a shed and the council agreed it would need planning permission to be used as anything other than a shed
OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 24/03/2022 21:57

I would flag it up as a thing they should check out with their solicitor.

Viviennemary · 24/03/2022 22:01

I would definitely drop a hint. Claryfairchild has a good idea. Don't stand by and see people duped.

RibWonderer · 24/03/2022 22:04

Yes tell them. I think we’d all want that in their shoes. Even if the solicitor would find it, it might save them some fees and hassle.

sandy259 · 24/03/2022 22:08

Thanks @ClaryFairchild that seems like a great way to phrase it without looking like a crank

OP posts:
LIZS · 24/03/2022 22:10

Are tenants using it as accommodation now or moght they have been told not to?

sandy259 · 24/03/2022 22:16

@LIZS

Are tenants using it as accommodation now or moght they have been told not to?
Yes, they are using it for their teenage DD. The owner has a brass neck and rented it as 5 bedrooms (1 of the bedrooms being the converted shed)
OP posts:
LIZS · 24/03/2022 22:20

Then report it again.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread