To accept a huge loss on my house

[CurlyHairMare1]

I live in a semi detached house in a quiet cul de sac. I’ve spent a lot of money doing it up and making it lovely. Early this year my neighbours (the ones I’m attached to) sold their house incredibly cheaply as it needed an awful lot of work doing to it.

A man bought it to do up and rent out, I understood he had a property business so assumed he’d be the landlord.

Fast forward to now and he’s actually turned it in to an HMO. He has a number of them across the city.

I put my house on the market in Spring and I just can not sell it due to the HMO. I’ve had a number of offers accepted and they have all pulled out when they have found out what I’m attached to so I’m now declaring it up front.

Would I be unreasonable to sell my house for way under asking price just so I can get rid of it? The estate agent has suggested it would need to go for nearly 100k less to even get any kind of interest.

I’m exhausted with the whole situation.

How about contacting the owner of the HMO next door and asking if he would be interested in yours?
private sale, no fees and he may well be a cash buyer
this could be a plan?

Thats seems so unfair , i feel for you..I'd say your mental health & happiness is priceless. If u can still afford somewhere to live where u want & one which suits you perhaps you should cut your losses .

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Give it a go, you have nothing to lose, and currently as it's on the market he will know what you are aiming for an hopefully not low ball you as much as 100k. Even he does, you don't have to accept it.

What’s actually happening with the HMO that’s making you not want to live there?

I'd turn yours into an HMO too.

I was actually planning on selling before I knew it was going to be an HMO.

But what is actually wrong with the HMO? Noisy? Too many cars? I assume he got the correct council permission?

most families just don’t want to live next door to one….I wouldn’t either

What’s a HMO?

House of Multi-Occupancy.
Bed-sits effectively. Self contained rooms with ensuites, maybe some communal living.

Did he have permission to turn it into an HMO? There are rules about that where I live if he didn’t have permission he may have to change back to a family dwelling and sell though not sure the timelines to enforce that would work for you.

A HMO can house professional people depending on the rent being requested. It can mean more cars but that would be the same if a family had grown up children still living at home. My sister's house has 4 cars outside as she has children in their early twenties.

OP I would contact the landlord and give him first refusal of buying yours. He may want to have another HMO.

Just interested but How do you find living next door to it? Have you noticed A difference in noise levels, etc?

I’m sure all HMOs are different.

This one in particular houses 6 men, most of them stand by the front door smoking multiple times a day. To be honest, I’m a single mum and find it quite intimidating leaving the house.

The noise through the walls isn’t outrageous but it’s definitely noisier than you’d want. On bin days there are mounds of rubbish bags outside.

What's the issue with the HMO? Isn't it basically just a shared house? I've lived in one and it was fine. We all worked full time and were very quiet. I assume that's not the case with your neighbours

Technically it’s not my issue with the HMO that’s the problem - it’s the fact I am unable to sell it being attached to one

that’s not good
How many bedrooms does your house have? I’m presuming 3/4? They must have them crammed in!

How much of a loss would you make if you sold it for £100k under the asking price? How much did you buy it for, and when?

It will sell at the right price. As others have said, maybe see if the nextdoor landlord wants it.

Speak to the landlord like others have suggested and ask if he’s interested in buying it

Most house shares will get rid of lounges and dining rooms. I lived in a house share for years and we were quite lucky to have a large lounge which hadn't been turned into a bedroom! Most of my friends houses only had communal kitchens and bathrooms.

They’re 3 bed houses, he’s made next door in to a 6 so I assume the rooms are tiny

Is it all done legally? Some areas need licenses and whatnot. Might solve the problem.

Yes he has a licence for it.

Have a look on your local council website to see if it's on the public register. If not it definitely needs reporting.

Do they not have to put a planning notice up for this and then people can object if they want?