What is she up to?

[DontVisitCabotCove]

DB, his partner “Jane” & her 2 kids have been staying with me - in my house - after the house they were buying fell through. They had been looking at other properties to buy but have since decided to end their relationship so that’s no longer happening.

Yesterday while my DB and I were out and unbeknownst to me, Jane had an estate agent over to value my house & as he was leaving he told her he’d send her an email with the valuation & they were talking about viewings etc.

Today Jane asked me to give her a letter stating that my brother is living here but wouldn’t tell me why she wanted it & was really unhappy when I said I’d give her a letter saying they were both temporarily staying with me as that’s the actual truth.

What on earth could she be up to? I’m honestly baffled!

Should I tell her that I know about the valuation? Should I tell my DB about all of this?

On one hand I don’t want to get involved in their troubles or make things worse (things are bad enough between them already) but on the other hand I feel I’m being drawn into it as it’s my bloody house she had valued!

It's a CF stunt to pull.

I'm inclined to think she wants to live near you, or continue living with you and buying half your house, could be pricing the area, may have felt rude asking you directly.

I’m presuming she wants to claim it’s your brother’s home so that he can serve as a guarantor for her new rental.

Get rid of her right now, make sure your ID is secure and register to be notified of any changes to your property.

Slightly different scenario but people have had their homes sold fraudulently

https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2021/11/property-fraud-house-is-sold-without-owners-knowledge

Actually we're all guessing. Only sure thing is that she has acted in a sly underhand manner and needs to leave ASAP.

You can look at Zoopla to see the approximate worth of houses,you don't need an estate agent. Make sure all your important documents are safely under lock and key, inform the estate agent and ask her directly why she has done this. Also when she leaves make sure you change the locks

What the fucking hell - she’s unhinged. How dare she. Is she trying to say because he lives there that it’s his house and therefore as an unmarried partner she is owed half of it? Or is she trying to say that because he lives in this house and it costs a certain amount and so he can afford to pay a certain amount? She’s stupid to even think that but beside that point - I would be throwing her out now.

Bloody hell this is weird and scary.
yeah get her out!

Who cares? Chuck her out.

She'd be in a Travelodge by now if she'd done that to me.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert and sign up to this.

Can you figure out who the agent is ? If not you need to go into all your local agents and tell them someone has got a valuation of your house without your consent . Use a still of the doorbell camera .

Or you could post the still on your local Facebook group and see if anyone knows who they are

Id then have a conversation with the police on 101 .

She needs to leave now and your brother needs to know .

Can't you ask her why she had someone over to value your house?

Kick her out!

I would tell her you know about the estate agent, and I would also tell your brother. Then I would go the the Land Registry website and sign up for property registration alerts. You’ll then get an alert if anyone attempts to pursue any formal applications or other steps in the sale and purchase process against your property.

You can also apply for something called a Form LL restriction registered on your property. This means that no changes to the legal title can be made, unless a solicitor confirms your identity and your property cannot be sold without your knowledge. Once registered the restriction cannot be removed without your ID being verified.

I think it’s likely she’s planning something or she wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of organising a valuation, but massively cheeky to do this without your knowledge or consent, and this is something I’d have to take issue with. I’d be inclined to tell her that unless she is up front about what’s going on she needs to leave pronto, and that you will not be saying anything to anyone - much less providing anything in writing until you know what it’s for, and that you’re not prepared to state anything that isn’t truthful.

This is the link to sign up for property alerts: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert.

Oh come on, really?

If you wish to avoid confrontation (fair enough, I wouldn't want that if I were sick), I would definitely speak with the estate agent and find out what went on.

Also, speak with your DB about it, because it's honestly very very bizarre.

Love the username OP!

Baffling, what on earth is she up to? She's clearly pretending she owns your house. I'd be asking her and seeing what her reaction was.

Tell your brother and ask her to leave. She is not your problem and obviously can't be trusted.

Maybe his not an estate agent (and its a cover up-knew the doorbell would be recording) she has been up to something in your house...how long was he there?

How long has she been in the property OP? It affects eviction rights. Also, does she have any bank statememts or other post sent directly to your home?

You’re being too placid. Contact the EA your house isn’t for sale. Jane isn’t owner. She gets no documentation from you, nadda. Sign up for land registry alerts regard your property. I’d give them both notice to leave, the go to the local author ask for TA. She’s wafting around your house clearly up to something, fuck know what…but it’s hooky

Sort this through your brother so you don't have the confrontation, but she needs to go immediately, especially following your update. She's up to no good for sure. I am sorry you are unwell, this makes her even lower, imo.

Absolutely this. You don’t need the hassle and have no moral obligation to her, particularly following her shady behaviour.

Completely agree with Fancy biscuits. Don't let estate agent have any further contact with her.

Do you know which estate agent it was? I would telephone them tomorrow morning and explain that you did not ask for the valuation and you are baffled why your brother's girlfriend has asked for a valuation of your house. See if they can tell you what she told them.

Seriously, there have been cases of people having their house sold out from under them and it is a nightmare to prove you didn't agree to the sale, so do not write that off as impossible. I think going to Rightmove and setting up alerts for adverts of new houses for sale is very sensible.

Alternatively, she may be working up to arguing that your DB needs to pay her some kind of maintenance to her and her kids based on the value of your house and the fact your brother lives with you? I hate to mention it, but if you have a life limiting illness, maybe she is eyeing up your assets as eventually coming to your brother and she wants to know what you're worth so she can impute that value onto him.

Or third option, maybe she will be trying to take out a mortgage on your home and needs a valuation? Or she is going to try to get you to take out a mortgage to help pay for her home?

These are all terrible possibilities but I honestly don't see any innocent explanation. Tell both her and your DB that you know about the valuation and ask her what is going on. You can act baffled.

Do NOT allow her to extend her stay, and the minute she is gone change your locks. You have been so kind allowing her to stay, but she is not your problem.