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 phone the police, explain and ask if there’s a scam going on - if others have experienced the same

Given they are elderly and vulnerable plus scared by it i would report it to the police. I also would be telling them to not answer the door and if the person starts hammering the door phone 999. Is there anyone who could be with them? I would say its borderline harassment as someone is planning to turn up on Thursday to try force them into selling there properly.

Potentially triangulate it with similar issues taking place locally. Noone is suggesting ringing 999, but stuff like this is EXACTLY what online reporting was designed for.

Glad you posted this reply. My local police force would definitely take this seriously to and may have someone at the address waiting.

Just tell them not to answer the door.
Or get a ring doorbell and communicate through that if someone turns up.
Its easy to find out who lives at an address via Electoral roll.
Some people do put letters through doors if they want to buy a house on a particular street. It's not always a scam.
Only a police matter if the person turns up and is aggressive etc. Its not against the law to ask someone if they want to sell their house.

this. I know quite a few young adults who live in HMO's for many reasons. None of them are on benefits and most of them earn comfortable amounts but want to spend their money on other things or need to be somwhere to advance their career but where they can't afford to buy or don't want to stay.

I think one of the big issues with downsizing to a two bedroom house is that it doesn't just eliminate your spare bedrooms, you also lose your dining room, utility and half your kitchen, three quarters of your garden.

Not to mention that if they are going to upend their lives (do remember when you are old and vulnerable, familiarity such as your home and neighbours becomes more important) then they quite rightly want to move to a house that will at least be useful to their stage of life, like a bunglaow.

So with those things in mind, why would somebody want to pay a load of stamp duty to move and release money they may not need until they both move into a care home. They aren't likely to independently put it in inflation beating investments, so their capital will erode away eating into the money their children will inherit. (I'm Not starting a debate on rights and wrongs of inheritance).

I think the letter's aggressive tone has gone past this. Even (reaching here) the tone is unintentional, it needs putting a stop to.

HMOs are usually houses for immigrants who are receiving UC to pay the rent

The Police won’t give a toss. My neighbours directly behind me are in their 80’s and have been hassled to sell for 6 years by their next door neighbours who want it for their massive extended family. Their Son tried to involve the Police but was told HE would be in trouble if he went round and told them to lay off, this was after the fence between the 2 front gardens was ‘accidentally’ flattened by one of the multiple taxis that hang around day and night.

Usually 🙄🙄🙄

I kind of agree with you. Money aside, there is actually very little point in downsizing from a house to a house in later life IMO because the hook for many (most) people who can't stay where they are is stairs and its often easier to fit a stairlift, through floor lift, or downstairs bathroom in a house with some space than in a more compact place. (retired OT, have met many many people who wished they hadn't!)
Of course if you are really going for a big lifestyle change and go for a flat (which heaven forfend) then there is going to be the issue of management costs and so on.
On another track, I can't see folk being happy to see us oldies gettingout of paying any government levies that the youngsters have to pay!

ummm nope!

Och away you go, the police.

I’ve had notes put through my door asking if I’d sell, I just throw them out. As for the names, they maybe asked neighbours.

Exactly. Some of the ones I've been in were absolutely grim. Some people on this thread seem to have their rose tinted glasses on when it comes to how the other half live.

But debating the quality or ethics of HMOs doesn't help your elderly parents with their problem. Having a younger (and hopefully slightly scary looking!) person present for the 'appointment' ought to be the end of it.

I hope it all goes off without incident.

They shouldn't do! They have more important things to do.

Now they may actually prefer taking information about crimes that have not occurred to catching people who have actually committed a crime because it is easier for them.

But if that is the case it is another problem with modern policing.

If the letter contains a telephone number I would call and tell the writer of the letter that they have no intention of selling, that there should be no further correspondence or attendance at their premises. I agree this falls into intimidation and might be a scam for a vulnerable person. I would also notify the Police so they have a record.

They should ring the non-emergency police line. As a previous poster said, police may be aware of who it is sending them. Also make sure someone muscular is available to answer the door just in case this person does turn up.

Many years ago my grandmother was frightened by men turning up at her door saying her guttering needed replacing and they WOULD be back to rip it off and she WOULD be paying them to replace it. When she told my sister, my sister rang local police and they knew exactly who this was. They visited him and advised him never to go near our grandmother again. And he never did!

Yes, you might. But seeing as it’s intimidatingly worded, with a time given and sent to an apparently vulnerable elderly couple, I don’t think other people should ignore it. I actually do think the police are relevant here. It may also have been happening to others.

So where do you think that all the asylum seekers that are being moved out of hotels are being sent to if not HMOs?

Local councils are writing to landlords asking them to evict their current tenants and offering them hassle free leases to house them.

Some councils are also buying up whole blocks of flats in neighbouring boroughs and evicting the tenants to house them and other homeless people:

www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/b6a46cb7609d0f69

They believe preventing crime, including abuse of the elderly & vulnerable, is important, it's sad you don't.

Good advice.

God, how patronising. And wrong.

They are elderly, and have been sent an aggressive letter with a time given. The police often are interested in situations like these and might also have information if they’ve already been contacted.

Have you actually read this letter?

What an unsettling letter to be receiving just back from holiday. Those poor people. If you can, let us know how the couple got on with their unwelcome visitor. Let’s hope they or someone else manages to give him the bum’s rush.