Need a handhold - neighbour issues and selling house

[wawawawaterloo]

I'm planning on moving towards the end of the year. We have neighbours with incredibly messy and rubbish filled gardens and a previous (resolved) issue of their teens/early 20's kids being loud during the summer a few years ago.

I know I need to declare a dispute, but I don't believe anyone would buy it - I wouldn't? Landlords aren't buying locally at present, so I don't think that's an option, and I cant afford to part ex for a new build.

Do you think if we market for less than market value we'd sell? I'm thinking taking the hit and marketing at around 20-30K less just to get rid.

I will obviously talk to an EA, but at present I just need reassurance that doing something like that, at worst case, will work - as I just want to start again elsewhere.

I'm not asking if you'd buy it, as I know most (so please don't put that as it will make my anxiety worse) but it will appeal to someone relatively quickly wont it if it's under market value - or am I doomed to live here upset forever?

If you mark it below then people will push for more.

Put it at market rate and wait for the cheeky offers to kick in.

Have you actually complained to any authorities about them ? I don't believe you need to declare them just being annoying ti live next door to .

You can always try and sell to a local authority or housing association. My friend did after the estate agent she used suggested it. Was a very easy sale and she had major issues with her neighbours including police attendance.

I did, stupidly, my child was incredibly sick in and out of hospital, and I spoke to Council to as I was in fear of my childs life and couldn't face them but needed quiet for their recovery once home. I'm aware other neighbours complained too.

Tried that - none are interested - easier to build cheap newbuilds at mass i guess.

you are allowed to complain to neighbours about issues, you only need to declare it if there is anything with LA or police re disputes.

But neighbours with trashy gardens and mess would put me off buying it. I would put it on at market value, people will put in low offers regardless of what it's priced to sell at.

Yes - which is why I was asking for reassurance, not someone to make my anxiety about it worse - thanks 🙄

If you’ve complained to any authority, you need to declare it on the forms.

yes I know - I literally put that in my OP. Did you even read the post?

@wawawawaterloo I would just market it at a fair price and answer questions on why you fell out with the neighbours. Try and present it in a matter of fact way rather than emotional.

And one man's trash is another man's treasure. You may find buyers who like noise, have teenagers and rubbish doesn't bother. You can then negotiate.

I wouldn't start too low. People can smell desperation and will try and push you.

I would market at market value. Teens grow up and leave. Its a shortish term issue. You had very specific circumstances for reporting it. Others won't have these.
Are they still noisy?
Rubbish in garden will be obvious to viewers. And they will knock money off for it when they offer. So you may well end up getting less. But that way it will feel to the buyer they are getting a good deal....which may help when you declare the dispute on the forms..

You won't know until you try. Some people don't care.

I would just market it and when it comes to it if they pull out they pull out! It is buyer beware ..

Auction it. State the lowest price you're willing to accept and see what happens. I auctioned mine as my neighbour began behaving oddly towards me.
I stated the lowest price I'd accept and it went for 35 k above. The commision fees are slightly more than EA's, but oh so worth it.
From going on their books to actually point of sale at the auction was 6 weeks.

I live in a very central area, my immediate neighbours are a hoarder (garden full of garbage), and a family who spend a lot of time outdoors in summer making noise (not late night tho). These things would not bother me particularly. I don't see why you need to tell anyone you had a 'dispute'. In what way? you asked their kids to shut up 2 years ago? Minor stuff.
Focus on what positives your property has to offer, and of course speak to a few EAs.

@wawawawaterloo the best advice I can give you is to go and talk to a conveyancing solicitor now because that is exactly what we did. She told us how to word it on the form you fill in about complaints. It was over a decade ago now but something like in the past X happened but it has been resolved and no issues since or something along those lines. But we took legal advice as we were considering everything you are, part ex, auction etc just because we wanted out.

A cash buyer bought ours to rent it out and didn't give a shit about the previous dispute plus the neighbour only had beef with us, no one else. Best of luck to you.

You don’t have to declare ‘not getting on’ with your neighbours - by ‘dispute’ I thought it meant you’ve contacted the police/the council/social services or taken legal action over a formal dispute?

I understand why you have to declare these things when selling but it really puts you in a Catch 22 if you have neighbour issues doesn't it. It makes the best thing to do to just move AWAY without telling the authorities if you can. But if you're in danger from bad neighbours it is very discouraging from a "call the police" POV.

Sorry OP I can't help but you have my sympathy. I guess if you don't declare it you'd be at risk of getting sued. I think a lower price might help if you explain why. But how awful that you've lost 10s of thousands because you sought help.

I would get several valuations done by estate agents. Be honest with them. See what they say the value is. If those figures work for you with wiggle room, then try the market. You might get lucky and find a buyer who gives you what you need or just below.
Guaranteed if you don’t try it, you definitely won’t get a buyer.

Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be able to find a buyer.. Some people really don’t notice/care about messy gardens. I’d try and grow some tall plants, a couple of rowan trees or bamboo in pots to hide their mess a bit, and in the forms just be very matter of fact eg ‘2 years ago we complained to the council about noise from number 25, it was resolved and we have made no complaints since’. I have had this experience before and it was totally fine, no further questions were asked or eyebrows raised. Actually, once we knew we were going to sell, and way before going on the market, I took flowers and chocolates, asked for a fresh start and my husband offered to help fix their leaking gutters..(it was hard, as we absolutely hated them!) Good luck!

Op says she spoke to the council about them

Two thoughts, how long ago was the complaint - I wonder how long you need to declare for.
Also is it just trash, any chance you could pay to get it cleared? Might be a lot cheaper than a discount, but easier said than done, I appreciate that.

The issue is people will still negotiate you down even if you market it at a much lower price, so then you'd be really out of pocket. What I would do is put it on the market at the right price and wait for the offers to come in, if you get some lowball offers and your happy to take one then go for it, you were happy to take that much money anyway, and your buyer thinks they have a bargain!

Hope it all works out for you OP

You have to declare any dispute that is reported to LA as the OP said it was . It is illegal not to declare this .