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!

Yep I would imagine on strong painkillers as well which can make you feel woozy

Oh OP, this whole situation is baffling! So glad you've got as much sorted as possible and that she's now out of the house.

Please double and triple check the documents you keep at home alongside ID. Anything for the house, bank accounts etc. No idea what she's up to but I hate the sound of it.

I am possibly over reacting, my dear, but if I read about this in a novel I would assume that you were about to be bumped off! The two things together just have warning bells ringing and red flags going up all over the place.

Personally, I would find a way to let Jane know that you know. Maybe cause a little bit of "trouble" by letting her think that the estate agent then contacted YOU and now you know...

I’d ring the estate agents and find out from them.

Its likely to be a local one and so shouldn’t be too hard to find.

If they’ve got the money to buy a house then I wonder if she’s trying to get all of it/more of it by saying that he owns half of your house.

Thank goodness you saw!

This! Whatever she is upto is no good

Did the letter you gave her, have your signature on it ? Another potential scam to be aware of is people fraudulently applying for POA to access bank accounts and other financial affairs.

Have you got children OP? This a case of her wanting to take your brothers inheritance in to account in any settlement she gets, or maybe she will stay with him if he gets your house.

It may sound over the top and I know you really don't need the hassle with your illness, but I would absolutely contact the police immediately.

Sorry to be presumptuous, but am assuming your DB may perhaps inherit something from you? It wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility for her to be thinking an "accident" may be on the cards. Although it may sound far fetched, these things do happen, and she's obviously bloody devious and manipulative. Whatever it is, it is highly suspect.

It's great she won't be coming back, and good your ID is safe. Is, however, there any way she could have copies of ID or financial documents, and have put the originals back so as not to raise suspicion?

I'm so very sorry about your illness and this is the last thing you need, but perhaps your DB could help wth getting to the bottom of things?

Wishing you all the best. 💐

I honestly don't see how she can get any 'settlement' if her and the brother aren't tied in any way.

The one thing brother needs to do is ensure finances are completely separate.

I remember frogmarching ex down the bank when we split and getting the joint account into my name only. There was no problem about shared funds as we each had our own separate accounts and only transferred over money to joint for mortgage/bills but I was thinking fuck off. Bit like a war trophy.

This is astounding! I absolutely agree that it needs to be reported to the Police (Action Fraud). If she is engaged in fraudulent behaviour, which it appears she may be, you have no idea what has preceded this incident today. It's only by sheer luck you've found out. I'm so sorry you are poorly

If you're wondering how much someone else's house is worth, the normal way to find out is to get on Rightmove and look at similar properties in the same area, not to pretend it's yours and get an EA around to value it! She is definitely up to something, but I'm damned if I can think what it might be.

This is one of the oddest and most mystifying things I've read on here, and my first response would have been to ask her wtf she thinks she's playing at.

I'm so sorry you're not well OP. And for her start this weirdness when you're not well is really shitty imo.

Glad to hear you are getting the locks changed tomorrow, and for peace of mind please make sure that your ring doorbell is set up to send alerts to your phone. Can you be sure that whilst she was alone in your house she didn't have the chance to copy any of your ID documents? If in doubt, I think I would escalate this to the police.

I'm so sorry about your illness.

Can your DB find out the estate agent from his ex, or ring around the local agents for you and find out, as a matter of urgency, whether they have had anyone visit your address? Do you know if she only has had one firm visit? You'd get a good idea of the main businesses operating in your area from sites like Rightmove.

Assuming that you have a will and PoAs in place, would it be worth having a quick meeting with your solicitor to get this bizarre situation noted on your file and that you don't want the terms of your will changing, or PoAs changing (if you don't), that you do not want anything going to this woman and that, in the solicitor's opinion, you still have capacity to be saying all this stuff. Tell your executors and PoAs by email too, so that there is a virtual paper trail.

as soon as you saw it you sould have confronted her-then told her to leave theres no reasoning for it if it was genuine she would hhave just asked you

Am not sure how you became aware that estate agents have been by, but you need to ask her to get out of your house. Like now.

Serve an eviction notice if necessary. Make sure all your legal documents are locked away (title deeds, bank details, passports, ID etc). If you know which agent, I’d contact them to enquire what they were doing in your house. I’d even call around a few of the main ones in the area to work out which ones have been by.

You sound ever so blasé, but this is concerning.

@BusyMummy001 ring doorbell, OP checked it about a parcel delivery but discovered Jane talking to estate agents about viewings!

Well my mind is blown a little, can't fathom what went on here

Op, if you’ve just got the name of the EA have a look on linked in for them. Most
professionals are on there so you might be able to find them and ask some questions.

Missed this before I replied, above. Am so glad your DB is on it with the Ex and you are getting the locks changed asap.

Am so sorry this woman has done this and made you feel insecure in your own home. I’d keep the video footage because it seems to be evidence of planned fraud, and in fact she may still have committed fraud if she has invited an agent over and purported to be the property owner - you and DB may want to contact the police anyway and report it.

Sounds like she's trying to bump you off for your home, absolute bat shit behaviour.

Make sure you get your locks changed first thing in the morning and keep your key in the lock over night.

This is awful. I would also be worried that she may have done other fraudulent things prior to this.
Please change your locks and report her.

How bloody rude and cheeky. This is your house who does she think she is. Firstly I'd day why the hell have you brought someone for a viewing? No you can't say brother lives here, I would not even give her a letter for anything stating that, for what reason?. I'd tell your brother and think about giving her some notice too!!

It's incredibly rare but you do read about stories like this in the press. Beggars belief.

@DontVisitCabotCove I'd read this. It explains how homeowners who are mortgage free are more at risk, as it removes a level of security in the selling process. Also how PoA's are apparently being successfully abused, and steps to take to lessen risks of house being sold from under you.

Also, when you manage to track down the agent, it will interesting to know what name she gave them. I bet it was yours.

Good luck in getting to the bottom of it, and best of luck with your health.

https://www.versuslaw.co.uk/news/how-to-stop-a-fraudster-from-making-themselves-at-home-the-fake-sister-who-tried-to-sell-maries-house/

What a stressful time for you OP. I hope you will be OK. 💐

What was your DBs reaction when you told him?

Whatever she's up to, she's done it deliberately behind your back and broken your trust. You're doing the right thing to get her out ASAP and to take precautions with the Land Registry.
Make sure you change the locks too.
You're sick and you don't need this shit.
Sending you all the best OP 💐