Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think someone will buy my house?

68 replies

Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 17:25

So my neighbours are awful - scum essentially. And I know that's mean, however it's true.

Their garden is full of moldy clothes left out over winter, rubbish, array of terribly built buildings and a gross hottub.

I also have a complaint made against them as they were noisy last year I was so anxious (as my baby was incredibly poorly so I didn't have any energy to speak to them about it). I known i have to disclose - I complained about a preteen shouting in the garden at night, rather than any music, so I can word the dispute as resolved as the preteen is now a teen and less likely to be screaming). I haven't complained about music they play, though I'm aware neighbours have..

I really want to move, it was going to be in a few years but realistically I don't think my anxiety will cope so I need to move ASAP.

But who's going to buy my house?! I wouldn't if they were there when I bought it (the moved in after the last council tenants were evicted for subletting).

Surely somebody will buy it?

(I don't want to hear lots of 'I wouldn't buy it's I know) I'm more looking to hear of if anyone - at all - would buy it?! Would a landlord buy it? How do I find someone to buy it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 18:16

Im99912 · 02/04/2023 18:06

Council won’t evict them so your right complaining won’t work
most councils are hopeless at evicting ASB neighbours and basically prefer you to move as it’s easier for them

i got a lifetime restraining order against a neighbor at the end of a crown court case which meant he couldn’t return to his council house for ever. The judge was fabulous and very understanding

but that was the only way they he wasn’t coming back the council were not interested despite what he did

I doubt I'd get a lifetime restraining order unfortunately. As much as I'd like one

OP posts:
Plingston · 02/04/2023 18:28

Yes, i think someone would buy it. A landlord might buy it or someone who doesn't care that much. I live in a similar house to yours and we put in an offer immediately after viewing despite the neighbour's garden being in an overgrown state with some junk in it. I didn't even notice it to be honest. We were first time buyers and the house itself was miles better than anything else we'd seen. Our neighbours didn't turn out to be horrible - just disabled and overwhelmed by the garden.

Slushynana · 02/04/2023 18:31

When my mum died we struggled to sell her ex-authority bungalow as there was no parking. We phoned the housing association and they bought it back from us at a very fair price, it may be worth contacting the council or housing association to see if they are interested in buying it from you.

AspiringMermaid · 02/04/2023 18:37

You mentioned moving in with your mum, how feasible is that? Then you could rent out your house meanwhile to save some money. Make sure to vet the tenants well, get insurance for damages.

You could put the house on the market and see what interest it gets, talk to your local estate agent and see what they think, might get lucky...

Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 18:37

Plingston · 02/04/2023 18:28

Yes, i think someone would buy it. A landlord might buy it or someone who doesn't care that much. I live in a similar house to yours and we put in an offer immediately after viewing despite the neighbour's garden being in an overgrown state with some junk in it. I didn't even notice it to be honest. We were first time buyers and the house itself was miles better than anything else we'd seen. Our neighbours didn't turn out to be horrible - just disabled and overwhelmed by the garden.

I wish our neighbours were disabled and overwhelmed by the garden.

Our house itself is good a big 3 double bedroom house with utility, large drive, bigish garden.

Ours are just a scutters and inconsiderate arseholes. I hate how judgmental they make me, but they've bittered me significantly!

OP posts:
doverper · 02/04/2023 18:46

I think a landlord would buy it, particularly if your ex neighbours were able to sublet the house before.

I agree the council will not evict them, even if they wanted to it would take years of documenting their behaviour.

Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 19:19

AspiringMermaid · 02/04/2023 18:37

You mentioned moving in with your mum, how feasible is that? Then you could rent out your house meanwhile to save some money. Make sure to vet the tenants well, get insurance for damages.

You could put the house on the market and see what interest it gets, talk to your local estate agent and see what they think, might get lucky...

My husband really isn't keen, which I understand.

I don't think I'd like to rent out as knowing my luck I'd get shit tenant who squat for years!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 19:20

Slushynana · 02/04/2023 18:31

When my mum died we struggled to sell her ex-authority bungalow as there was no parking. We phoned the housing association and they bought it back from us at a very fair price, it may be worth contacting the council or housing association to see if they are interested in buying it from you.

I'll call tomorrow and ask, I doubt they will though. Our council has very little money to spend.

OP posts:
Weedoormatnomore · 02/04/2023 19:21

Could you sell the house back to the council. I know a family who did this they actually stayed in the house a while too after selling it back to council as tenants.

JudgeRudy · 02/04/2023 19:33

Could YOU become a landlord? I considered this once, renting mine out and then renting somewhere else more suitable. Just a thought.

Justmeandthedog1 · 02/04/2023 19:33

Speak to your local council and housing association as pp have suggested.
If you’re going to put it on the open market look at Get Agent before you approach agents, then get at least 2 to value your house, preferably 3, and then have a long chat with each of them. Ask them about landlords they know, how they intend to market your property, who their target buyer is. When you choose your agent negotiate on their commission, it’s not written in stone and offer 1% plus VAT before you let them know they’re the chosen agent.
The companies that buy your house have to be a last resort as they offer low and can keep you hanging around.

Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 20:08

JudgeRudy · 02/04/2023 19:33

Could YOU become a landlord? I considered this once, renting mine out and then renting somewhere else more suitable. Just a thought.

No, I don't think I would enjoy that stress at all!
And knowing me they'd not pay any rent or trash the joint!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 02/04/2023 20:09

Justmeandthedog1 · 02/04/2023 19:33

Speak to your local council and housing association as pp have suggested.
If you’re going to put it on the open market look at Get Agent before you approach agents, then get at least 2 to value your house, preferably 3, and then have a long chat with each of them. Ask them about landlords they know, how they intend to market your property, who their target buyer is. When you choose your agent negotiate on their commission, it’s not written in stone and offer 1% plus VAT before you let them know they’re the chosen agent.
The companies that buy your house have to be a last resort as they offer low and can keep you hanging around.

Thanks for the advice! I'll give them a call tomorrow, hopefully they do, though then affording a new house would be the next issue

OP posts:
Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 03/04/2023 11:31

Emailed the council asking about buying back the property or if any local housing associations are buying back. I doubt it though as I can't see anything online.

Also looked at newbuilds and can only afford 3 bed mid terraces with no parking - which I very much don't want!

Unfortunately the sun being out is making my anxiety crazy- as I know I'm in for some noise later.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/04/2023 11:34

Offer the council the chance to buy it. They'll have a budget for buy backs.

CattySam · 03/04/2023 11:39

Try and sell it and see what happens.

We just sold our ex council house which was attached to a council tenant who’s garden was like a forest, with loads of old crap in it. We sold it with no issues.

fairycakes1234 · 03/04/2023 11:44

Im in the same boat, dreadful neighbours, they have moved twice and ended up beside us, we pay a huge mortgage, they get free accommodation, go on 2 holidays a year, smoke weed, play music, dont work, what the hell are we doing wrong. I really think its so unfair, I dont think i can move because the first thing you see when you pull up to my house is them standing at their door smoking joints. I have spoke to the local authority housing and they actually rang them and told them to tone it down and keep their head down, they are almost friends with the housing authority, she knows them by first name, i know this because the other neighbour told me. They dont give a damn about us, their concern is keeping their clients happy. Sad situation and i feel your pain.

Neededanewuserhandle · 03/04/2023 11:46

drpet49 · 02/04/2023 17:59

I wouldn’t buy it OP sorry. The state of the neighbours gardens would put me off

Exactly and precisely the kind of unhelpful comment OP said she didn't want or need.

Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 03/04/2023 11:50

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/04/2023 11:34

Offer the council the chance to buy it. They'll have a budget for buy backs.

I've asked the question to them - I don't see anywhere on the councils website the mention of buying back, it's been ex council for 25 years now. So I think its a long shot!

OP posts:
Mochinated · 03/04/2023 11:56

The market value is whatever price you can get for it. What PP meant was did you purchase at the height of the market, can you afford to sell for less than you bought it for?

Have you had it valued, is it on the market?

Of course someone will buy it, just a question of price. There are agencies and auction houses you can try if cba with normal estate agent process.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 03/04/2023 12:08

@Pettypettyneighbour I had similar issues a couple of years ago. Very surprised that the state of the garden didn't put off my eventual buyer. It did put off some though - but be wary of over explaining. I think I put some off myself by apologising for the neighbour's garden etc. I also turned down some low offers which I wish I'd just accepted instead of it dragging on for months as when my neighbours found out it was up for sale they upped their shitty behaviour.

I reckon I lost about £15k off the value by having shitty neighbours (mine was worth about £60k less than yours). I spoke with the we buy any house type people and they advised against it. I should have tried the council but didn't - same as yours though in that it's very very unlikely they would have bought an ex council house that had been private for about 25yrs plus it had been extended.

I don't think my neighbours were quite as bad as yours sound but we did have to say no to a couple of last minute viewing requests when the neighbours were being dicks. The people who bought it moved from a far worse area so they weren't bothered.

L1ttledrummergirl · 03/04/2023 12:20

Call the council and tell them you think you saw rats in their garden. It's not a complaint, but pest control may start the ball rolling on getting them to clear up, contacting the tenancy department to get them to follow up.

You could do it anonymously.

CabbageKale · 03/04/2023 12:30

Yes someone will buy it but realistically in this falling price environment you will get less than you expect.
The good news though is that properties you are looking to buy will have fallen in price and you can bargain there.

Original poster
Pettypettyneighbour · 03/04/2023 12:32

CattySam · 03/04/2023 11:39

Try and sell it and see what happens.

We just sold our ex council house which was attached to a council tenant who’s garden was like a forest, with loads of old crap in it. We sold it with no issues.

I think its also the dispute that I have to declare too which would also put people off - though it seems to be resolved as their 11 year old kid was screaming in the garden at 1am but no longer does that.
I guess people with kids aren't likely to see that being an issue as they grow up.

Hopefully it sells no issue like yours!

OP posts:
Untitledsquatboulder · 03/04/2023 12:34

RoseBucket · 02/04/2023 18:05

@Pettypettyneighbour it might be worth speaking to your council, quite a few are buying properties now due to lack of housing plus a long waiting list. They do give market value.

I was going to suggest this too. Our local council is keen to buy up housing in areas where they already own stock

Swipe left for the next trending thread