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!

What kind of system is this, where an owner can have a property sold by and for the benefit (fraudulently) of someone else?

Surely, surely some form of ID is required to prove you are the owner. Surely money laundering prevention/fraud would mean that the sale could not happen without the signature of the owner (proven) on the contract and deeds? I am both a little frightened and baffled that this could happen. Is this true?

Do estate agents not verify the ID of the owner/seller before doing a valuation/marketing?

And don't just tell the estate agent not to sell your house. She shouldn't even receive the valuation.

Do you even need to let them stay for the 10 days. This just all feels really bad.

Have her and brother got shared finances? They need to separate these now if so. Does he still love her? How long were they together?

At 'best' it's about needing a guarantor (no chance). I can imagine she's weighing up whether to stay with brother if she thinks you're that ill. He's in a good position to move on if they are not married and the children aren't his.

She's utterly baffling. You don't need to bring it up in any screechy Eastenders way but you do need to ask her and try to find out what's going on.

Did she think you wouldn't notice viewers turning up...? You need to conserve your energy for yourself, not loony women.

Where were they living before? I'm sorry about your illness - does she know about this?

Maybe she is aiming to take out a loan and making out your brother owns the house or somehow making out your house can be used to secure the loan?

1. Tell her you know about the valuation and are very angry about this.
2. Tell her to leave immediately.
3. Tell your brother what she has done.

Really informative post for op. Practical and preventative advice . Top post has it nailed
esp 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

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.

I'd rather hope that was the case anyway ....

@Quizine Do estate agents not verify the ID of the owner/seller before doing a valuation/marketing?

No, if you are there to open the door they will do a valuation and if you sign the contract they will market it.

As others have said, it is probably more likely she wants to know the value to get her hands on the brother's assets.

She sounds insane.

This was my first thought too. I would be seriously scared about this, enough to have a conversation with the EA pronto. 😒

I hope you some answers. You dont need this 💐

It’s not. Lots of scams recently involving people’s homes being sold without their knowledge. The scammer scarpers with the profits and the actual homeowner has been left to deal with the fallout. It’s wise to register for property alerts with the land registry - if anyone tries to register anything against your property details you get an alert and you can deal with it before anything detrimental happens. The Form LL restriction will cost a bit because it involves a solicitor but IMO worth it to protect your property from unscrupulous gits !!

So TL;DR the Land registry isn't fit for purpose. I wonder when that'll be sorted ?

Please someone, tell me how a property can be sold by someone other than the legal owner? I am amazed that this can happen, but I suppose with complicit bent solicitors, ID theft and so on it could happen, but seriously??

KICK HER OUT AND CHANGE THE LOCKS!!!!

I have no idea what she could be up to but it's nothing good. I would seriously just pack her bags today. What a cunt.

Solicitors / Estate Agents / Mortgage Brokers have to see ID and proof of ownership when selling a house.

Problem comes about when someone applies for ID in the name of the owner and presents this to open a bank account. Sale goes through and they take the money and go. It has previously been tenants who have done it as they have access to the property to allow viewings / surveys etc

Why is Jane and her children (who aren't your brother's) staying with you if Jane has split up with your brother? She needs to stay with family or something until she gets a rental. You should ring up the estate agent and let them know you and only you own the property and Jane is only staying temporarily. Ask them why they came round to look at your house.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are unwell 😞

Edit: I'm really really worried that she's trying to get your signature so she can take out a loan in your name or try to make out your brother and her own the house. Confront her and your brother and tell Jane to leave today! Call the estate agent tomorrow morning. Don't leave the house to your brother in your will in case he gives it to Jane.

It’s absolutely nothing good so I’d be asking her to leave immediately and getting back any keys etc. Absolutely tell your brother.

I’d also make a complaint with the EA about due diligence of not even checking she’s a rightful tenant or homeowner before providing information on your property. Intercept the valuation and double check what she has asked of them.

Don't give her a letter with your signature on it!!!!

She could have told the EA that she is you.

Sorry to hear you are unwell.

I'm so sorry to read about your illness.
Is she hoping your brother will inherit your house?

Does she think he is part owner of your house and hiding his financial assets?

She might want to get back together with him if she is

You should be very suspicious

If you have a life limiting illness she may think you have left your home to him in your will , if so maybe she can claim on his future assetts . I hope this is not the case and that you have a long healthy life but maybe consider seeing a solicitor to safeguard him if you do intend leaving him your property xx

@Owl55 I honestly don't think she can claim if they're not married, have split up and don't have children together (I hope not anyway!)