To request that the current owners send me a bit of my grandparents' old house?

[CrazyPlaqueLady]

The house that my grandfather designed and built after the war, and in which I spent a huge proportion of my own childhood and have very very happy memories of, is going to be demolished, to make way for a new development of houses. I'm a bit sad about this, obviously, but there we go, life moves on, people need houses etc etc.

However, I know that there is a small metal plaque at the front of the house which my grandfather had engraved with his and my grandmother's initials and the date they moved in. I remember it very clearly from my childhood and I know it's still there.

All that side of my family are dead, including my mum, there is no-one left and soon the house we all spent so many happy times in will be gone too. I have photos obviously but it would really be meaningful to have something 'solid' and unique.

WIBU to write to the current owners and ask them if they would be willing to remove the plaque and send it to me, when they move out? I wouldn't chase them for it, just write once and if there's no response or it's a 'no' I would absolutely respect that. Or would this be a ridiculous request in the first place?

I hope they let you have it. I popped a note through a neighbours letterbox on a house they were renovating asking if I could have the cast iron fire surround from a bedroom outside. I gave them my number and she texted me back and said no problem come and get it, they were going to tip it! It's waiting for me to strip it for when we start renovations here and put our bedroom fireplace back in.

Very reasonable request. Do let us know what they say.

I had someone knock on my door recently, she was showing her daughter where she was born and wanted to explain that she wasn't stalking the house . I invited them in and we had a fantastic chat and I found out loads about the history of the house. Was a lovely afternoon. So go for it!!

Absolutely do it OP.

If I were the current owner I'd be more than happy for you to have it.

I think it's rather lovely that you want to keep it to remember your grandfather.

Good luck!
I really like the photo idea for a personal touch.

I'd try to arrange either to come myself, or get a friend from that location, to go and collect it in person. Then the owners don't have the trouble of taking it home, wrapping and posting .. so they have no reason to refuse.

You could give your phone number and maybe ask if its possible to have a last look round or offer to collect the plate in person and maybe then theyll offer you to look round? No harm in asking. If they're GPS themselves theyll understand.

Awwhh of course, you would want to be a very hard person to to accommodate this, I hope you get it.

Go for it! Write to them! It's not a massive ask and I'd do it if it were me.

Good luck OP I hope they send it to you

I would personally be happy to even let you come round and see it one last time if I was demolishing it. And then let you take whatever you wanted. I hope it works out for you.

Yes I agree, if I was the owner I would let you look round too. The plaque with your grandparents names is so specific and unusual that it proves you are genuine.

No harm in asking .they can only say no!hopefully a yes and all good .shame about older homes being demolished

Do it. They're always taking celebs to old family homes on Who do you think you are. I'm always terrified someone might turn up who used to live in my house, especially with cameras. It's always a mess and not guest ready!!