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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To withdraw offer on flat

42 replies

Evaka · 28/08/2023 14:41

We've just had an offer accepted on a flat which ticks every box in terms of size, location etc. It's the full first floor of a period conversion and the bottom floor is another flat. When viewing I noticed that there were ashtrays with 100s of cig ends in the neighbour's part of the garden, which would be under our bedroom. DP jogged past yesterday and there was music pumping out. He could hear it from other side of the road, with all windows shut. The blinds are always shut. I tried calling in today to say hi but no answer. I'm starting to get party house vibes. Am I being paranoid? Wwyd??

OP posts:

AtrociousCircumstance · 28/08/2023 14:51

Do NOT buy this flat. You’ll be utterly miserable with the noise.

Owlcat42 · 28/08/2023 14:54

I feel for the flat owner but I would find that very off-putting. I think I'd try and do a couple more reccies, but might well withdraw the offer.

2weekstowait · 28/08/2023 14:54

It sounds risky, particularly the blinds always being shut. The music doesn't sound as though it's a one-off. It's a shame but don't underestimate the power of neighbours to make your life hell.

cocksstrideintheevening · 28/08/2023 14:55

I'd withdraw

Beamur · 28/08/2023 14:59

Very smart idea to view the flat and surroundings at various times of the day and evening.
Awful neighbours would make me reconsider too.

Summer2424 · 28/08/2023 15:00

Hi @Evaka
Try one last time to find out who lives on the ground floor, you can ask the estate agent. Is the person there temporarily or has he been there for years, is he moving on somewhere, you just don't know what peoples circumstances are. Then make your decision. All the best with the flat x

Flipflopflopflip · 28/08/2023 15:01

Go with your gut. They sound awful neighbours, what a shame though.

Bogofftosomewherehot · 28/08/2023 15:09

I'd pull out.

Floating101 · 28/08/2023 15:12

I would pull out too. Such a shame as it ticks all your boxes but sounds like you’d be dodging a bullet there. There will be another

Original poster

Evaka · 28/08/2023 15:16

Thanks everyone. We were wondering if we were overthinking but agree, inconsiderate neighbours can be such a nightmare. I'll see what we can find out from the agent @Summer2424 xx

OP posts:

AMuser · 28/08/2023 15:20

Don’t rely on the agent. You do know they work for the seller and want their commission. They will feed you B/S.

don’t buy this flat without speaking to this neighbour and getting a full idea what is going on. A smoker downstairs is gross particularly in a conversion.

MoreThanEnoughSoFar · 28/08/2023 15:26

Evaka · 28/08/2023 15:16

Thanks everyone. We were wondering if we were overthinking but agree, inconsiderate neighbours can be such a nightmare. I'll see what we can find out from the agent @Summer2424 xx

There is a chance that the noisy neighbour has been given his notice which could explain the behaviour. But instead of trusting the agent, I would be chatting with neighbours and shop owners in the area. Just say you're considering moving in but is put off by the noise and ashtrays. People love to volunteer information.

Mischance · 28/08/2023 15:28

You are not overthinking. This sort of stuff from neighbours can make life very miserable. I would have no qualms at all about withdrawing. It is tough on the owners but it is every man for himself in this situation.

MerryBeard · 28/08/2023 15:33

I would pull out without hesitation and say why.

The estate agent wants the deal to go through so will tell you anything they can to make you proceed.

Original poster

Evaka · 28/08/2023 15:42

Yeah, you're right that the agent won't help. Thanks again everyone. We're going to pull the plug. There'll be others!

OP posts:

Mischance · 28/08/2023 15:47

Good decision.

TotalOverhaul · 28/08/2023 15:50

I wouldn't buy it. A friend of mine had a flat below a drug dealer. People would bang on her door all night long, in agitated states, trying to get hold of him. He had music thumping through the floor at all hours and frequent massive rows with his partner. It was a beautiful flat but so stressful for her.

ActDottie · 28/08/2023 15:53

It would be enough to put me off.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 28/08/2023 15:55

Yeah, you're best off not proceeding. At best, someone is going to be smoking right under your bedroom window frequently, any time your window is open the smokes going to come in and make everything smell. If they played their music that loudly it can be heard across the street with windows closed, it would be unbearable being above them, and no way will it be a one off. The not answering the door to meet them also throws a red flag about potential antisocial behaviour. If their music is blaring and you go round to ask them to turn it down, they're unlikely to answer the door to hear your complaint.

Out of interest, have all viewings you've done set up by the estate agents been at very similar times of day and only in the week? I really wouldn't put it past them and the seller to have coordinated viewings for a time noisy inconsiderate downstairs neighbour is consistently out, say working hours, in order to mask his tendency to blaring loud music to secure a sale just for it to hit the fan when you move in and they're in the clear.

Going ahead, definitely ask for a range of viewing times, including evenings outside of standard work hours, and weekends. Also don't be shy of doing walk bys on top of arranged viewings, including early morning and late evening, to get the full picture of what neighbours are like and not just the picture the seller and estate agent wants to portray in their best interests.

yikey · 28/08/2023 16:00

Is 'your' flat empty? Could that person be taking advantage of no neighbours? Just a thought.

I've experienced terrible anti-social neighbours, it impacts every area of your life. If it looks bad I'd pull out.

mumda · 28/08/2023 16:18