Seller of new home LIED about various things

[Bamboogie86]

Hi every one, I posted over the weekend regarding my new home purchase and now I'm experiencing vandalism & tresspassing. Someone is stubbing out fags on my new windows and it's burnt them. There are new burn marks. Also they cut the cable ties on the gate that I'd used to keep it shut as they are walking up my drive and using my garden as a short cut. I own the front garden and it's not communal, there are council tenants in the block.

Anyway, the nice neighbour above me has informed me that she was unaware the previous owner of my flat was even leaving as they never even had a for sale sign up. On top of that she apparently already had disputes with an antisocial pair of neighbours in the block who were doing the same using the garden, cutting ropes, standing outside the kitchen window smoking, and get this PARKING in the drive. Apparently that started arguments in the street and disputes. They are council tenants.

When I went to view the flat I asked mutliple times are the neighbours ok and ivwas told oh yes they're all great. NONE of this has been reported on the home report. I am in Scotland. Nothing like was reported to the solicitor either.

I have now put in a freedom of information request to the council to ask if any disputes were recorded between the seller and the tenants.

Honestly, I feel sick and gutted. Spent all my savings on finally "owning" my own place, I have multiple chronic illnesses and this is the last thing I need. I feel that the seller blatently lied to me.

This is a really grey area. I’m sorry, if you have written or formally complained about a neighbour you need to declare it, and if you don’t rhe buyer can take legal action against you and sue, but I’m really not sure how easy this will be or thr costs associated with it.

If they are council tenants can you complain to thr council? I think there is something about anti social behaviour. I’m not sure if they could be forced to move.

scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/neighbourhood_issues/antisocial_behaviour/eviction_and_antisocial_behaviour

Padlock the gate, put a chain and padlock on the gates to the drive or install a drop down bollard. Please don't waste your energies in being angry at the vendor. Keep a diary of anyone accessing your property without permission and report to the council if necessary. Put a metal container with sand in it under the windowledge which is being damaged - better to have cigarette butts put in that than stubbed out on the woodwork.

No one is ever going to tell a prospective buyer that their neighbours are arses.

Get a big dog.

It's not a grey area. It's explicit that that these sorts of disputes have to be declared and, iirc, the Sellers Information Pack also asks for information that might lead to a dispute in the future. This is the case in England and Wales, I am assuming that Scotland makes similar provisions.

This is why I never told a buyer I'd been burgled three times in a year once (hence reason for move) because I wanted to sell the place. It's self preservation.

I don’t think it would be on the Home report,it is not one of the standard questions
It is one of the conditions of the standard missives that there are no neighbour disputes
Your solicitor would have asked sellers solicitor for confirmation from sellers of this

However to enforce it you would need to be able to prove it ,and go to court if the sellers won’t compensate you
Not a gray area ,but difficult to enforce
Your solicitor will be able to advise you

You need to read Scottish standard clauses - clause 9. It asks about disputes but it would need to be proven and a dispute will likely have to have been notified to the council or police. Just saying there was a dispute won’t likely cover it if that makes sense.

Thanks eveyrone. I'm honestly not believing this, there is court record that 2 years ago neighbours in the block who still live there have been charged with threatening neighbours and behaving in an aggressive manner. Threats of fire setting were also in the charges. I'm absolutely shocked! They had to complete community service.
I actually feel quite scared now but also livid that I have bought a place and was blatently lied to.

@Dailystuck71 thank you I have just looked it all up. My seller signed those. Knowing what had went on and that these disputes went through the court.

What’s your solicitor say ?

What do you want - they would be unlikely to buy it back ?

I think you need to speak with your solicitor for proper advice.

So when you sell this flat in future, you'll be declaring all this, right?

Of course not. The fact is that there are a number of anti-social families in the country that exist on estates as a scourge. They spread chaos, violence and misery to all other families who live around them. It's not the fault of the decent neighbours that they are there, not should they be punished for their presence. Really, it's a problem that the whole of society should do more to deal with, rather than expecting the poorest communities to cope with this on top of everything else. Quite what the solution is I'm not sure: poverty, lack of education are issues, but there's also a strand of plain aggression and nastiness in some of these people that would appear to require some sort of psychiatric help.

Focus on the real problem: these tenants - not on the vendor. You will do the same in a few years.

Thanks everyone for your posts. I understand that you get people like this unfortunately in all places. The problem is I am now worried sick and can't sleep at night due to my own ill health and.I'm clearly being targetted by them now.

And what did I do to be targetted by them? Nothing! Moved in and things started happening

I think that's shocking that posters are saying they've lied, and will lie again. Just accept you've got shit neighbours and will have to sell for less - knock 30k off the price of whatever, for some people the price reduction will be worth it (a big burly bouncer type, for example).

OP, contact your solicitor, you've been screwed over but you've got evidence of that. There must be some redress you are entitled to. Don't let them get away with it. Sorry it's so shit.

They wont be targeting you personally - maybe your flat is just a convenient cut thru - so look into measures you can take to secure it properly for the long term. What are the main issues? People on here can help - maybe pop up a diagram?

If they are council tenants complain to the council each and every time. Take photos of the damage they have caused.

I'm sorry that is happening. Definitely takes the shine of your new property.

Sarahj - that is shocking ! why would the police do that? who's side are they on and who are they protecting? Do they scour RightMove looking for house sales next door to difficult families?

And what did I do to be targetted by them? Nothing! Moved in and things started happening

These things were happening before - nothing new has happened - so they are not targeting you personally. Sounds like there are 3 things you can proactively and positively do - report to sol, secure your property and report ever instance.

I hope you find peace and comfort in your new home.

Given that there is recorded evidence of the antisocial neighbours, I would advise that you email your solicitor and explain the situation and ask what action they would advise. I would email so that you have a written record. I would be interested to know whether the sellers solicitor have some liability or whether a sizeable amount can be reclaimed from the vendors or the sale reversed. As I am not a solicitor, I won't predict the outcome. There is a legal advice phone in on LBC so extra advice from there perhaps. Moneysaving expert forums often have conveyancers adding information to threads. Please come back to let us know how things are going. There must be lots to enjoy in your new home, so I wish you well.

@pannacott thank you, you're right I have been screwed over sadly.

I personally think the seller should be paying for the cctv I am having to install that the police and antisocial team have recommended.