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Original poster

Moving to a house on a road with assisted housing on it

31 replies

Brighton2 · 17/09/2018 08:30

Hi everyone - I’ve just joined as we’re currently in the process of moving house and trying to conceive. I wondered if I could ask a little advice, we are in the process of buying a pretty house on a pretty little street in Worthing. We currently live in quite a residential area, and the new house is nearer town but has lots of character and 3 bedrooms. We have walked up and down the new street loads of times, but recently I noticed there is a sign on the house 2 doors down from the one we’re buying which says ‘images are being monitored for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety. This scheme is controlled by sanctuary housing association.’ I called the number on the sign and they said that this house is assisted living for people with mental health problems. They are visited and helped by staff regularly and sometimes have staff living with them but for this house they just have visits. It’s a 3 bed Victorian house and apparently is split into rooms for the people living there.

We are feeling a little concerned... this is probably really snobby and awful but I feel a little worried about creating a family home with that so nearby (even though, without the sign we’d have no idea it was there) and it’s set alarm bells ringing. Obviously I don’t think people with mental health problems should be locked away but it’s just that the cctv suggests there have been problems and I worry about the high turnover of different people living there. It’s the lack of control of knowing what the severity of the mental health condition is and I am also a little worried about if we bought it and then when we eventually sold it would other people be put off buying it?
The house looks in really good condition and has a very pretty garden at the back which is probably maintained by the housing association. We have spoken to one neighbour before we knew about this and he did say it was a really nice street and people stay a long time, but he did also say ‘which end is the house you’re buying... yeah you’ll be alright’ I don’t know what that meant!

Wondering if we should pull out before we spend too much with the solicitors... please let me know your thoughts, am I just being paranoid?

OP posts:

Troels · 17/09/2018 08:33

People with mental helath problems living in an assisted living house wouldn't bother me at all. However if it were a halfway house for criminals being released from prison or a house for people who are drug addicted, I'd pull out.

Akire · 17/09/2018 08:33

I imagine CCTV is more to do with protecting Residents than you.

mimibunz · 17/09/2018 08:34

I would be wary for the reasons you mentioned.

Original poster

Brighton2 · 17/09/2018 08:37

I know what you mean and agree. The thing is, they may well have drug problems as well. Mental health problems can cover a wide range of things really which is what’s worrying me. This housing association also work with people who have drug problems or for whatever reason can’t hold down a normal tenancy. On the face of it it doesn’t seem that bad but now I’m trying to think of every eventuality. The housing association are very careful to make it sound like it’s fine so people don’t get put off living nearby by the sounds of the man I was speaking to. It’s really hard to decide what to do!

OP posts:

mumtothebabes123 · 17/09/2018 08:43

My parents live opposite two houses which sound very similar to what you've described
And well let's just say I wouldn't even consider living on the same road let alone a few doors away

No end of problems but they live in a big city and it's two large houses so potentially more people living there which means more problems

I would try and find out as much info as possible!

SuperSuperSuper · 17/09/2018 08:49

I wouldn't withdraw but I'd do a bit more research. Is there a way of checking whether there have been complaints/police involvement? Try to talk to that guy again if you can.

And you're not being "snobby". This is the biggest purchase you will ever make and you'd be raising children there. You're correct to be circumspect.

NerrSnerr · 17/09/2018 08:50

Mental health problems can cover a wide range of things really which is what’s worrying me

What does that mean? What are you worried about?

Reading the thread I assumed it was just a goady thread but maybe not as people have answered seriously.

MadisonAvenue · 17/09/2018 08:51

I would be wary. There was a house on the street where we used to live which was bought to house people with mental health problems, sort of acting as a halfway house. We were told though that the organisation who owned it could potentially use it as a place to rehabilitate former prisoners with mental health problems.

myidentitymycrisis · 17/09/2018 08:56

There but for the grace of god

Original poster

Brighton2 · 17/09/2018 09:04

Yeah, that’s the kind of thing I’m worried about, big turnover of tenants with different issues, obviously they could be absolutely fine and no trouble at all but how are we to know. I don’t want to have to be calling the police or the housing association all the time because of violence or noise etc. Also worried about if we sold it on would people be put off.

OP posts:

Monty27 · 17/09/2018 09:08

Pull out then. Simple.

Zoflorabore · 17/09/2018 09:14

We have two properties in our very small close like this but the ladies who live in them have carers around the clock and do not go out alone.
When we first moved here 13 years ago I heard a commotion outside one night and it was one of the ladies shouting, turns out that is her normal "speaking voice" which was quite scary to be honest and ds was only 2 at the time and didn't like it.

Since getting to know them albeit briefly over the years by way of Christmas cards, waving as they go past etc they have caused absolutely no bother.
These ladies are older and have clearly had troubled lives and I like that they are part of our little community.

Do a little more research but don't write it off just yet.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 17/09/2018 09:18

I think there was another thread recently on the same theme, which got taken down.

But basically, most people would not knowingly move in close to such a house because of the likelihood of noise disruption etc. Even if the tenants are quiet and orderly, it would put future buyers off, so unless you are getting your house for a really good price, I would back out now.

Hoppinggreen · 17/09/2018 09:18

Take advice ONLY from people who have been in your position rather than those who accuse you of being a snob and a NIMBY
Don’t do it, your property will be worthless and you will have nothing but problems . If you are somehow very lucky and don’t experience any issues then if you ever want to sell your house prospective buyers will be asking the same questions as you are

Bluewidow · 17/09/2018 09:24

And everyone else
In the surrounding areas could
Also have mental issues and all
Manner of issues?!

Hoppinggreen · 17/09/2018 09:43

I think there’s a big difference between could and when you know something
People find themselves living next to all sorts of people/places they wouldn’t have chosen and sometimes it’s ok and sometimes it’s not BUT choosing to live near a place like that is a different thing - OP has a choice whether to risk it or not.

specialsubject · 17/09/2018 10:01

people with mental health issues are targets for the drug dealing scum known as cuckoos, which may be the reason for the sign. If they get in the only way to remove them is to evict the tenant, which is horrible and takes months.

look up local crime stats. if the road is a hotspot...

Original poster

Brighton2 · 17/09/2018 10:03

We’ve just had a chat and decided to pull out.

Yes you never know who your neighbours are anywhere, but when you know about something on your road it does change things. Yes this house could have no problems, but it could have lots of problems. We’ve decided it’s not worth the risk.

I feel awful because we’ll have to let down the first time buyers who have bought our house but we have to do what’s right for us.

We’re going to look again in the spring once we’ve saved up more money.

There were a few other things we weren’t sure on about this house and this one has just tipped it too far.

Thanks so much everyone for your help.

OP posts:

Original poster

Brighton2 · 17/09/2018 10:04

We looked it up and found that there’s double the amount of crimes than our current area, and quite a lot of burglaries. We thought it was just part and parcel of being nearer town, but it just adds to the worry of it all really. Thank you

OP posts:

QOD · 17/09/2018 10:06

My friend hAs lives next door to one such house for 4/5 yrs with no problems UNTIL about 3 months ago
The guy (one of them) tried to kick their front door in causing damage but not gaining entry
The council regise to pay for the damage so freindnhas had to clAim and pay excess
Council sent a shitty patronising letter saying he had a right to live in a normal family area
He has since been arrested and released for dancing naked outside a public play park. But hey! It’s cheaper to keep him there than in a unit I guess

BubblesBuddy · 17/09/2018 10:08

Keep your buyers. You would be mad not to. Go into rented if you need to. Buyers are like gold dust in some areas so keep them. First time buyers are also valuable. There must be other houses!

Failingat40 · 17/09/2018 10:09

You've done the right thing in pulling out. Better to be cautious rather than blindly naive.

It's not necessarily the residents that are the problem in these places, it's everything they bring. Police, drugs, alcohol, crime, numerous visitors- often anti-social, 24/7 noise & disturbance.

Pressuredrip · 17/09/2018 10:14

I wouldn't pull out with what little information you have just yet. I have a big Victorian house on the end of my road which is a supported living place, everyone living there has non verbal autism. Hasn't effected us in any way other than when walking past that way, we here one service user making bird sounds in the garden. We thought it was genuine birds for 2 years. Really no bother. However if the house served recovering drug addicts and criminals then that may be different. Surely you can knock and find out?

user1457017537 · 17/09/2018 10:17

There are properties in many streets that are not used in the way you would imagine, ie safe houses for abused children, children’s homes, young people, vulnerable adults. You have noticed this one because it is a housing association. You would be surprised but if you are uncomfortable then you have done the right thing. Beware though that not all properties advertise their use to you. For example, womens’ refuges, for obvious reasons, will not have a sign pointing you in their direction.

ginghamstarfish · 17/09/2018 10:21

We have moved house many times, and now have the motto 'if in doubt, pull out'. It may well affect resale even if the assisted live property does not cause you any problems. Hope at least the price reflects this.

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