Pissed off that other people’s choices affect the saleability of my house

[PoliteSquid]

My next door neighbours are using the shared driveway to store SORN vehicles. Their garden is horrific. The fence they own fell down years ago and has never been replaced.

None of this is illegal. I imagine I’m going to get told to mind my business.

But I’m so fucking angry that the lazy cunts next door mean I can’t sell my house. I don’t want live next to it, so I totally understand why no one else would either. So I’m trapped by other people’s lifestyle choices and I’m just furious. How is that fair?!

I’d be bloody furious too OP.

Is there any thing you can do to try and divide them off within your boundary? I don’t know, maybe plants, screening, shrubs?

Horrible situation. Hopefully they move soon.

You are not wrong. I have neighbours who dump trash and mattresses at the front of their property but as the property is theirs they apparently have a right to do so. And I am unteasonable to object.

I know the feeling, my next door neighbour's guttering is leaking everywhere and the window got broken so he's just boarded it up and isn't getting it fixed. Looks like a flipping squat.

If it is a shared driveway surely both need access for it so cars shouldn’t be parked there All the time on the shared bit

I would get a bit of legal advice, you may have a few options.

If it is really chaotic local authorities can also take action

I really sympathise though @PoliteSquid

You can install a fence on your side of the boundary - I know you shouldn't have to and it's not cheap but if you need to to get a sale it is an option.

YANBU. Some people have no pride

People complain about HOAs, but this is why they are wonderful. The entire point is to prevent your neighbor from tanking your home value.

It’s worth asking the council for help.

There are circumstances where they’ve get involved, it’s not a complete given that you can do whatever you please on your own property.
If it’s just an aesthetic issue, though, it’s likely more difficult.

I’d put a fence up.

Be careful telling the council about their behaviours because you’d have to disclose this to potential buyers, I believe (happy to be corrected if I’m wrong).

I’d put a fence up on my side of the boundary.

Yes, you do. I have recently moved and in the legal pack, you need to declare any formal reports /disputes.
OP,have you tried bringing it up with your neighbours?

That's true , and I would normally caution people too. But given the issue is so physically evident I am not sure taking steps to correct it will cause much more harm

I agree, I’m on the Poundbury thread and some posters think it’s a bad thing that there are covenants and regulations on what you can or can’t do with your house. I think it’s fabulous, nothing worse than bins, SORN cars and unkempt gardens being inflicted on everyone, so many streets look utterly depressing these days. I’m with you OP I would be livid as well.

I live off a small private road. There is a nature strip bordering the opposite side to the front of the houses. Each house owns a section. One of the neighbours has built an item that is a complete eyesore and very poorly constructed. Apparently nothing can be done as private land. Imagine prospective buyers reaction to that. No way on Earth it can be hidden. No way they cannot see it as they walk up. Some peoples’ standards of acceptable just sucks! If I could fence it I would. At least you can consider a 6 foot fence and foliage. Just do it.

Bribery, if you need to sell fast and can afford it. Pay for a new fence and a tidy-up of their garden, and a bit on top if it'll make them co-operate. Sucks that you have to, but if it's worth it to you, to get it sold...

I did once try to have a conversation… whilst the woman who lives there is lovely and friendly, the man is a nasty piece of work and can be aggressive. He shouted at me a few months ago because I asked him to move his car. I have avoided him since!

I agree re putting up our own fence! DH doesn’t see why we should pay out but as time goes on he’s starting to realise…

If they added an England flag that would be the icing on the cake.

What’s the Poundbury thread?

I remember a very very long time ago my grandparents lived on an estate where vans and caravans were banned from being kept on driveways. Bloody marvellous! My nan said it was why they chose it (new build in the 70s).

I realise the van thing is probably unreasonable these days!!!

We had the same problem with a previous neighbour. They weren’t unpleasant they were just skint and couldn’t afford even the most basic maintenance. They even started to build an extension but had to give up half way through. It has been like that for over 10 years now. Literally breeze block walls with no windows.

We paid to replace their fence both front and back and planted some huge bushes and shrubbery to conceal their property. It cost a fair bit but did get us a sale in the end.

The neighbours didn’t even thank us and didn’t offer to pay a penny towards it all.

There’s a house like this on my street - next door has been up for sale for ages now. Feel so sorry for them.