AIBU to think this intimidating house buying letter should be reported to police?

[Blopi]

Friend’s elderly neighbours came back from holiday to find a letter delivered by person. It has made them upset and frightened.

It was addressed to them personally Mr and Mrs (surname)
They said that their home is too big for the couple and would be suitable for a 5 bedroom HMO. Willing to pay £Xk for it (properties have been selling for 10-15% more) and will visit them on Thursday at 11am to discuss things. Signed by Mr (common surname). No phone number or email address.

Her neighbours have zero intention of moving home as they have lived there for 58 years. They are upset on how they are targeted and wondering how did they get their names?

In the past I had these letters which have been sent to others down the estate. Though not intimidating like this letter, nor personalised.

Unfortunately my friend is working on Thursday. She would have loved to have seen if the person turned up and told

Should my friend phone the police on the non emergency line about this? As maybe something else dodgy going on

I'd report it online but thats it - people are awful aren't they

Possibly, just in case this escalates to a knock on the door. Aside from that, I’d ignore it.

My friend’s brother who is very muscular is willing to help out if needed

What? Every student I know lives in an HMO and a good whack of young professionals just staring out also live in HMO properties.

Please explain why you think landlords who rent out HMO homes are taking all their income money from tax payers?

I don’t think you know what an HMO is.

You really think the police are this contemptuous of people? That’s worrying.

I think the tone of the letter and the vulnerability of the recipient means a call to non emergency line is necessary.

This isn’t like one of the ads that say ‘So many people are looking for houses in your road, contact us if you want to sell’. Those, yes you just chuck away.

But there is a clear guilt trip in that message (your house is too big for you, you Andre being selfish, others deserve it more) and there is an aggressive dictate too (I am coming at 11am).

To those of you who know you could deal with this yourselves and think it is silly to call the non emergency line, have some compassion. Try to think about things from other people’s perspectives.

No there's definitely slum landlords who rent usually very substandard property out to people on HB who, as you say, struggle to find tenancies because many landlords don't take HB so they are less likely to complain for fear of having their contracts ended. It's a niche. (Although at least banning no fault evictions should make it a bit harder for the summer end). Or, slightly different situation, but the ones running unlicensed childrens homes who charge an absolute fortune for putting vulnerable children/people in cheap housing. Of course looked after children need accommodation and housing in the community. This isn't a criticism of them. But some firms make a huge profit out of other people's misery.

Presumably neither of you are elderly?!

@Blopi I would contact our local police & I know they would be willing to have someone at the house if as that time if at all possible.

if that's not feasible, someone should be there with them.

nasty intimidating bastards.

This isn't a police matter as it stands and reporting it just wastes there time.

The right thing to do is to offer to be with the elderly couple (if they wish) at the appointed time.

All the letter writer has done is to write a more opinionated letter than is normal. It is very usual for wannabe developers to write letters to the owners of large houses offering to buy them.

If they aren't able to find anyone who can be at the house with them at that time, I wouldn't open the door if someone does call. I'd get them to say what they want through the door or at least with the chain on. Often the aim with older people is to talk at them to wear them down. Is there no company name or anything on the letter?

If I phoned the police and told them I’d received a similar letter, I’d fully expect them to do nothing because I’m of an age where a bolshy little fucker isn’t intimidating. But these are elderly people, a category that is known for being targeted for abuse and exploitation, who have received a letter informing them that the author intends to scam them out of their home. And obviously not every elderly person is going to worry about something like this. But the OP describes this couple as frightened.

This is on the website for my county’s police force. They clearly take elder abuse seriously.

Adults requiring care and support may not be able to protect themselves from abuse or neglect. We have specialist trained officers and staff who work to protect adults at risk of abuse. Any adult can suffer abuse or neglect from anyone in their lives. Abuse can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse and neglect. For older adults, abuse can include coercive control, neglect or acts of omission, discrimination, modern slavery, domestic abuse and cuckooing. If you are worried that you or someone you know is suffering adult or elder abuse or neglect, please contact us immediately. We will investigate and ensure the person gets the best course of action to meet their needs.

So I would expect the police to either send an officer out to the house at that time, and/or reassure them that it’s easy to get their surnames and it doesn’t mean anything sinister, and/or advise them to take a particular course of action, like putting a note on the door instructing the man that they aren’t interested and they will call the emergency number if he persists.

But also, there's been a big shift recently to mark occupants of HMOs as dodgy. I noticed Kenyon banging on about how much HMOs are in Makerfield and conflating it with asylum seekers even though Maker field has very few asylum seekers. So most of the HMOs in the area won't be housing them. But it conflates them with asylum seekers, foreigners, non-locals, poor or chaotic people.
Some people (students) naturally need HMOs but there growth in use is a problem as it suggests lots of people can't afford tonrent their own homes. They often don't have living rooms etc so it's harder to socialise. But demonising HMO occupants or trying to remove them from the area doesn't help the problem

Despite that, there is no need for the letter to the elderly couple in this case and I would absolutely be mentioning it to a non-emergency police phone number/contact form. And have someone be there at the time of the alleged appointment.

This is awful! I would tell them to contact the police as it could be more widespread. It’s intrusive and threatening in nature. An elderly person could be coerced into selling their home. I would also advise them to have someone there with them when this asshole is expected to return.

Years ago I had to deal with some religious lunatics who were targeting my elderly father. He lived alone at the time in an affluent area. They were trying to worm their way in to access his money and were doing the same to others in the area. I was there when they came round and gave them a piece of my mind. They never returned.

Elderly & vulnerable. I'd call the non-emergency number and ask for a community support officer.

When I sold my first flat in Ealing, I had a horrible man turn up after dark, with a case full of cash, and try to bully me.I was only 26 and on my own. It was horrible.

They need some support.

How is this intimidating??? Cheeky yes, but not intimidating or aggressive! And there are plenty of perfectly legal ways to find out most people’s names if you have their address. Would you report junk mail to the police?

Someone tried to steal my car and the police didn’t come out, I don’t think they’d be interested in this

I suppose it does no harm to inform the police, though I don't know if they're likely to do anything. It's infuriating when these people go after the elderly, knowing full well that they may be more easily confused or intimidated into making a poor decision. Scummy scammers.

I'd advise the couple that they don't have to speak with anyone they don't want to and should just ignore any unexpected callers that day. I'd also offer that they could call me (or someone else who they trust) any time they feel the need for support or to back them up.

not everybody is on the publicly searchable Electoral Roll. I am not.

People are always being encouraged on MN to pop a note through the door if they see a house they'd like to buy. It's just a variation of that isn't it?

I’m not either. But percentage chances are that this elderly couple are

Unpopular opinion, I'll probably get flames for this. I'm not saying they should sell to these rogue chancers, but it is wild that so many elderly people are sitting on multiple empty spare rooms while young adults are squeezed into crowded house shares well into their late 20s and beyond. There's a big issue with stamp duty and with price differences within the same area being so slim between 4 and 3 and 2 beds, and huge legal and moving costs meaning people don't release much equity when they downsize so it's not worth their while.

Telling them that they don't need such a big house is intimidating, imo. As is just announcing that you'll show up at a certain time to discuss something, as though they're on official business and have the right to pronounce when and where a meeting will take place.

Around here they'd come to the house on Thursday at 10.45 if at all possible or at the very least they'll arrange a local trusted person to be there.

About 2 years ago we had a manned local police station re established & it's made a huge difference. It's not the sane as it was as you can't just drop in whenever as they're not alwats there, but it's open at certain times '& they do community drop in sessions at other venues & reply to reports & emails etc

The message from the police is always, always report it. They can't do anything about it if they don't know.

That’s a fair point but direct your frustration at the house builders. I know many many of my parents generation would like to move but the only houses that are ever built round here are five bed ‘executive’ ones or a flat on a main road. So they stay put!

That’s just not true. Most single people can’t afford a flat so a bedsit house is ideal.