To withdraw offer on house because of crazy neighbour?

[inapropertyquandry]

Perfect position - amazing views.
Knock down and rebuild project.
All Proceeding beautifully until last week when we learn one of the neighbours had had a visit from the police because he was caught armed with chainsaw and weed killer on the property cutting down a tree and killing a hedge. Our solicitors informed us because the buyers' solicitor had contacted him.
Seems the neighbour (whose property overlooks the one we want to buy) felt the trees and hedge were obscuring his view. So he took the path of trespass and criminal damage by chopping down a tree and pouring weed killer over extensive areas of the garden.
Now clearly a visit from the police may put him back in his box. Bit would you buy this property now? We are seriously out off given we'd have to Apply for planning permission and he overlooks us. I don't mind being overlooked by a decent person. But that's crazy behavior isn't it?
Just want a sense check on all this!

Major red flag, i'd pull out if possible!

I'd run a mile. Unfortunately no matter how perfect the house is, nightmare neighbours can make it hell and I wouldnt want to take the risk.

There's a reason why you have to disclose if you've had problems with neighbours 🤷‍♂️

It would put me off too. He sounds like hard work if his first step is that level and not a simple pop over and ask if something reasonable can be done. IE the type of guy to object to planning permission in a heartbeat. If a hedge riled him that much what will a total rebuild with extensive works for months do the guy.

I’d be tempted to pull out of this. He’s bound to reject to some/all of your planning application and make every step a nightmare if you get on the wrong side of him.
Not to mention, what damage has he done to the garden? Has he devalued the house since you offered?

I would be seriously reconsidering and looking elsewhere. You don’t know how this person would react to a rebuild if that’s how badly he’s reacted to a tree and hedge.

I wouldn’t take that house free! Run a mile.

Presumably he also loves the amazing views.
He doesn’t want you building something to spoil that and there’s a chance he will make your lives hell.
I’d not risk it.

I would pull out sadly. Sounds like a neighbour from hell and he won't appreciate you having work done.

I'd never commit to a house where I knew the neighbour was inclined to behave this erratically. Obviously any house purchase is a gamble with what your neighbours are going to be like, but you have the luxury of knowing he's going to be a nightmare before you've bought it - run!

Major red flag. I’d pull out unless it would mean serious financial loss.

I'd pull out honestly.

It might be why they are moving. If you are knocking down and rebuilding the house you'll probably drive the neighbour up the wall and who knows what revenge they'll take.

He will be a pain in the arse to get anything through plan and will make life difficult during a build phase

The only thing I’d add to that is you might also face bigger losses down the line if he does cause issues with your rebuild, and in turn you have to then declare your issues also with him if you want to sell the house. You might chance his behaviour but future buyers would have concerns like you have now so you may be stuck with him, so consider the future if you weren’t planning on this being your forever home.

I'd pull out too.
What a nightmare for the sellers. And disappointing for you. But don't take the chance.

God that's awful, I'd pull out. He seems the type to object to everything and potentially make your life hell!

There are very few 'views' that would make up for an awful neighbour

Run and don't look back.

The irony is we were going to build a single story extension on the site of the trees/hedge which would have been lower! And replanted elsewhere on the property.

Yep
I think he's unhinged. The property is empty bc it's going through probate. The owners are many miles away. He thought he could get away with it but another neighbour caught him!

Save yourself the grief and future problems and back out now. How old is this neighbour?
We had to keep resubmitting plans to the planning dept, because of a neighbours unreasonable objections (she said our extension would spoil her view, she was next door but one!) Caused a lot of delay.
If someone is this crazy think very, very hard!

What age is he, do you know? Likely to be living there and well enough to use a chainsaw for another 20 years? Or elderly?

I don't know his age but think he works so it's t about to die!
I nearly went and knocked on his door to gently ask what's going on. Just to assess how crazy he is. But I chickened out!

Just don’t do it to yourself. A nightmare neighbour can make you really come to hate your “dream house”. If he can’t tolerate a tree what’s he going to be like when you’ve got a bunch of workmen, diggers and a portaloo on site?

Run a mile. There are other dream properties with normal neighbours.

Pull out! It will no longer be the perfect location etc with a neighbour like that.