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Original poster

For wanting another buyer on my house

51 replies

Gixxer · 07/08/2022 18:29

We are a young family selling our first home in a council estate area. The property is end of terrace with next door having right of access implemented by the council as a fire exit. It is in the deeds to my house and all the other houses in the area have the same.

My buyer is saying they are unhappy with it because they have big dog that bite. They wanted some money off to have the deeds changed so next door would always ask permission. My neighbour wrote her a nice signed letter to say they respect the privacy side of it and have no intentions of trying to come through without permission and that she was looking forward to meeting her.

We offered £4000 as we are close to exchanging (she’s been sat on this for a long time)

My solicitors asked for evidence of dogs and turns out she doesn’t have any.

She has now come back and says she wants 6500 cash as a starting point.

I told the estate agents to put us back on the market (four times now) and he is saying she wants to sue us if we can’t come to an agreement for money of changing the deeds

she has lied about a lot of things and I gunk she is playing a game. We already had a 10,000 devaluation and I only had 3,000 left to do the house so I actually need to give her another £1000 at least of my own cash should she agree

Our solicitors where not happy with me offering the £4000 but it was presented to me as “we really want the house, but have these dogs that bite, so need to do this to continue”

Our solicitors have also advised we do not sell to her.

For a first time buyer they seem to be after cash and I’m worried if I sell the house she will try and sue me for something after completion. She already had a detailed surgery and instructed a builder to come look at a crack in the rendering of which he refused to do the work so that was put to bed.

My estate agent says we are close to crossing the line and to put up with her. We have a baby and don’t have a lot of money so the amount of sleep less nights I have had over this!

Does anyone have any experience? What would you do?

OP posts:
DelisButAlsoCrime · 07/08/2022 18:33

Oh my goodness, please do not sell to this person!

The estate agent is after their commission cheque. The solicitor is acting in your interests. They’re the ones you need to talk to. Get it back on the market and change estate agents!

Yourearealboy · 07/08/2022 18:34

Our solicitors have also advised we do not sell to her

listen to them.

The estate agent wants you to go ahead so they get their fee. The solicitor can see they are going to be more trouble than they’re worth, it sounds like they can’t afford it if they want a large wedge of cash off you! Put it back on the market.

NewIdeasToday · 07/08/2022 18:37

I don’t see how someone can argue to remove the right of way as they have dogs that bite. Surely that’s illegal and the dogs should be put down if it’s true that they bite.

LittleLlama · 07/08/2022 18:39

You are not being unreasonable for wanting another buyer. Your buyer sounds a nightmare. The Estate Agent is supposed to be on your side - could you go with another Agent?

Wombat27A · 07/08/2022 18:39

I don't think you can even change deeds like that.

If you've not exchanged, no way to sue.

Change agents, stop the messing around.

Quartz2208 · 07/08/2022 18:40

Dont sell to her and get new estate agents!

Freddiefox · 07/08/2022 18:41

Telly he estate agent to have it listed by 10 a Monday or you will go elsewhere.. the buyers aren’t worth it.

Merryoldgoat · 07/08/2022 18:43

If you are in England and haven’t exchanged age has literally zero recourse.

Tell the agent to market it and pull out.

Sciurus83 · 07/08/2022 18:46

Pull out! Pull out now! They are trying to bully you, those deeds can't be changed, and they can't sue you as until you exchange you don't have a contract with them. Run!

Original poster
Gixxer · 07/08/2022 18:48

We have given her many deadlines and I don’t think the estate agents are actually relaying it. Now they are saying well let’s wait till Monday and see what that brings!

When we where getting our first home we where just thinking of how we would decorate etc. I really don’t understand this behaviour and threats for no reason!

I should mention the right of access if through a bit of the garden and the neighbours don’t use it!

OP posts:
L1ttledrummergirl · 07/08/2022 18:48

Your buyer should buy a house more suited to their needs.
Put your house back on the market and tell the buyers that they either pay the full originally agreed price or they will no longer be in the running.

SarahSissions · 07/08/2022 18:50

If you haven’t exchanged contracts then you can pull the sale with absolutely no financial penalty. (I’m assuming you live in England?) she can’t sue you and sounds like a pain in the arse walk away now. Follow your solicitors advice it’s what they’re there for and why you pay them such silly money!!

bubblescoop · 07/08/2022 18:51

You just need to be firm to the estate agents and say no, we are not selling to her.

Whinge · 07/08/2022 18:52

Now they are saying well let’s wait till Monday and see what that brings!

The only thing Monday should bring is a phone call from you telling your agents that the house is going back on the market without delay, and you no longer wish to sell to the current buyer.

Blossomtoes · 07/08/2022 18:52

Listen to your solicitor. This is why people loathe and detest first time buyers.

enjoyingscience · 07/08/2022 18:53

Get rid of your estate agent. They just want the sale over the line - they no longer care about you.

I had this when we sold our house - the first sale fell through and I think they had already put too much staff time on it, we ended up getting g absolutely ripped off by our next buyer and were really badly advised by our EA. They just wanted us off the books.

Brigante9 · 07/08/2022 18:53

Ignore your estate agent. This buyer sounds like a real pain. Put the house back on the market. She is untrustworthy and has already lied about having dogs. Just no.

mycatisannoying · 07/08/2022 18:54

Oh, you poor thing. What a stressful situation. The buyer sounds like a horrible pisstaker. I think you should listen to your solicitor. I hope things get better soon Flowers

LampLighter414 · 07/08/2022 18:56

Ignore your estate agent. All they do is advertise properties. It is in their interest for a sale to get to completion as quick as possible so they get their fee.

Assuming you haven’t yet exchanged contracts, cancel the sale, relist the house and find another buyer. If you haven’t exchanged there are no grounds for this loony, liar of a buyer to sue you.

If estate agent is uncooperative or moody about it. Check the terms of your agreement with them. If you have used them for the minimum period then cancel with them and advertise with another agent. Ask your current agent for a list of all people who have viewed or offered on the property and make sure you don’t sell through the new agent to any of those individuals - as the old agent may also be able to charge their fees for originally finding that buyer for you.

Good luck.

PinkiOcelot · 07/08/2022 18:56

OP why on earth did you agree to pay this person money? Tell her to do one and put it back on the market.

SuperCamp · 07/08/2022 18:58
  1. No one can change the deeds to remove an access right to another property. Unless the owners of that property agree. Which they won’t. And can’t, if it is a fire escape.
  2. She can’t sue you. Well, she can try, but she stands not a hope in hell.
  3. Listen to your solicitor.
  4. You are not, anyway, close to exchanging if this ridiculous dishonest gazundering buyer is still holding out for £6,500 price reduction.
  5. Tell the EA you want the house back in the market immediately.
Patsy400 · 07/08/2022 19:04

She sounds unhinged- Listen to your solicitor and pull out now for your own peace of mind.

LookItsMeAgain · 07/08/2022 19:12

Put it back on the market and do not sell to this person.

Notanotherwindow · 07/08/2022 19:14

Put it back on the market. The estate agent just wants the sale. Listen to your solicitor.

MiauzenKatzenjammer · 07/08/2022 19:18

Please don't sell to this person. She will continue to mess you around. And think what you would be inflicting on your neighbour (who sounds lovely).