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AIBU?

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Original poster

To withdraw offer on house because of crazy neighbour?

193 replies

inapropertyquandry · 15/10/2023 16:31

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!

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/10/2023 18:02

Another vote for pulling out I'm afraid; life contains enough complications without knowingly walking right into one

I feel for the current owners who'll now presumably have to declare this and so put off yet more buyers, but that's not your problem

PeopleAreWeird · 15/10/2023 18:03

RUN 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️ FAST

Mydogmybestfriend · 15/10/2023 18:06

I would knock and find out his problem before pulling out but have someone sitting in your car watching

MartyFunkhouser · 15/10/2023 18:08

No, that would totally put me off. He’s clearly a lunatic. What would he be like when your project commences? You’ve had a lucky escape.

HarperMae · 15/10/2023 18:09

Hes took a chance on sorting something out that has affected his view whilst no one was in there thinking he would get away with it. I dont think it means he's unhinged, I think he just took a chance and it didn't pay off.

Lottie4 · 15/10/2023 18:10

I think you have to pull out. If you desperately want to continue, the only other option for me would be to basically knock on his door, explain you're buying and what you intend to do and ask if he has any opposition. If he's a bit unhinged (maybe not the right word), I think you'll find out.

maddening · 15/10/2023 18:11

You could knock on the door and also mention the extension and building to get a real idea of how crazy he is?

Seagrassbasket · 15/10/2023 18:14

Get out get out get out!

Our neighbours are just a bit noisy and irritate the hell out of us. I’d be running a mile if I was you!!

category12 · 15/10/2023 18:16

HarperMae · 15/10/2023 18:09

Hes took a chance on sorting something out that has affected his view whilst no one was in there thinking he would get away with it. I dont think it means he's unhinged, I think he just took a chance and it didn't pay off.

But do you really a neighbour who is prepared to vandalise your property if he thinks he can get away with it?

Sugargliderwombat · 15/10/2023 18:16

If he knew the owners had died I don't think it's as crazy as it sounded in your first post but I'd still run unless it was my absolute dream property.

countrygirl99 · 15/10/2023 18:17

Living next door to a totally batshit neighbour with police involvement I would run a mile, preferably 10 miles.

Zanatdy · 15/10/2023 18:17

Pull out, this could be the start of a terrible period in your life and you’ll always wish you’d have pulled out if you choose not to

Sugargliderwombat · 15/10/2023 18:17

maddening · 15/10/2023 18:11

You could knock on the door and also mention the extension and building to get a real idea of how crazy he is?

I'd do this. Make up an excuse to go and speak to him. Ask him about the police incident if you're brave enough!

wiseoldtree · 15/10/2023 18:21

I'd go and knock - then make the decision.

topnoddy · 15/10/2023 18:23

Sugargliderwombat · 15/10/2023 18:17

I'd do this. Make up an excuse to go and speak to him. Ask him about the police incident if you're brave enough!

Show quote history

Just make sure his chainsaw is well out of the way

SkiingIsHeaven · 15/10/2023 18:25

Sadly we had to do that for my dream home.

The neighbour was nuts and was not going to move or die any time soon.

I still think about that house 10 years on.

spookehtooth · 15/10/2023 18:27

GreyhpundGirl · 15/10/2023 16:34

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

You do? At what point in the process? I'm in the middle of buying for the first time and I didn't know I could even ask, it never occurred to me

caringcarer · 15/10/2023 18:27

Thebigblueballoon · 15/10/2023 16:34

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?

This. No one wants a nut case as a neighbour. Any rational person would have knocked and asked if you could trim tree/hedges down.

AnSolas · 15/10/2023 18:29

cheddercherry · 15/10/2023 16:38

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.

^ there are so many ways someone who has easy access to a building site can cause damange to the fabric of the building. And you would be locked into a constant cycle of worry until the house is habitable

And then you have to live beside him...

AdditinalCharacter · 15/10/2023 18:31

Had to come check the crazy neighbour wasn't me. My next door neighbours are selling and it's taking a while...

I'd withdraw, neighbour sounds like he could be problematic at least more than once.

balltraponthecote · 15/10/2023 18:33

Run! He will be a nightmare.

Wendysfriend · 15/10/2023 18:36

I wouldn't go through with the sale. You are lucky that you found this out before completion.

If a person gets this aggressive over trees and bushes, he is not going to be very happy with building work. Even if the building didn't affect his views, the noise will, and we all know how noise can drive the sane crazy.

We all have experience with unhinged neighbours, I had to build a 2nd wall because one of my neighbours would not let me replace the capping that was badly damaged and causing the wall to fall. The other side which is social housing smashed glass outside my house on the road because I asked her to not park across my drive. These are only a few incidents which were quite reasonable requests but because they are fucking unhinged they make my life hell. Also going down the legal route is useless, you just end up suffering their craziness.

anon0007 · 15/10/2023 18:36

@spookehtooth sellers are given a questionnaire to fill out.

CountryCob · 15/10/2023 18:37

Building beside someone like that would be extremely difficult. By the time you moved in you would already be enemies....

itsalongwaybackfromsorry · 15/10/2023 18:38

Have you considered knocking on his door and talking to him (bring someone with you). You have almost nothing to lose by having a conversation about your plans with him. If it looks like he'll be massive arsehole or difficult to deal with, then you can still pull out.

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