Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Regret buying a stupid house

116 replies

Starman2409 · 02/11/2020 19:55

Hi,

About 7 years ago, which now I massively regret, we bought a house. Essentially it's a big 4 bedroom house which is an end terrace.

Running literally about 12 / 15 feet down the side of my garden are 3 terraces which overlook directly in my garden as they are built round the corner / bend of the road.

They can see everything as well as parts of my living room and my bedroom. As well as this they all have a right of way to access to take their bins out directly across my garden. Its ridiculous. I can't go in my garden at all without bedroom windows staring directly at me. Everyone that has lived in the houses has been lovely but I feel so lived on top of! I bought some tall bamboo for a little bit of screening but one of them complained it was shading her garden for a few hours in the morning!

We paid 200,000 for the house and it's probably worthless now.

Any advice on what to do? I considered a quick buy property firm but can imagine that even they wouldn't touch it with a bargepole!

OP posts:
Ignoringequally · 02/11/2020 19:57

Were the terraces built after you bought the house?

TenShortStories · 02/11/2020 19:59

Is it possible that the frustration you are feeling had built over the summer (prime garden time), but will abate a bit over the winter? Maybe spend the winter making a garden plan for next spring, such as a patio/deck with privacy panels on the sides so that you can at least sit out with a cup of tea without feeling watched?

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 02/11/2020 20:03

Your house won't be worthless. The people before you bought it and so did you. Can you sell up and move if you don't like it, or is this top of your budget??

Candyfloss99 · 02/11/2020 20:04

Has it changed since you bought it or why do you think it's worthless now?

user1471528245 · 02/11/2020 20:15

It never ceases to amaze me why people live on main roads but they do, or buy a house next to a petrol station, Pub, office block but they do, what may not appeal to you will to someone else, if you dislike it that much sell up, if you have been there that long it will certainly be worth more than you paid but be realistic with the price and it’ll sell, or try and figure out what you can do with garden to make it more user friendly, get a designer around to give you some ideas, also if you stay within the law your entitled to grow a hedge even if others don’t like it

Original poster
Starman2409 · 02/11/2020 20:18

Our house used to be a pub from the late 1800s to the 1950s (it's a mining village). The pub was derelict and got knocked down years ago. About 15 years ago a builder who lived in one of the terraces adopted the land and built it. He lived in it for 7 / 8 years. We lived opposite it and always liked the look of it so when it came up we bought it. Therefore, it's never been sold before apart from to our family so I can't see anyone being interested, especially families with children

Its been valued at 300,000 but estate agents will tell you anything! 300,000 near us buys you an big detached with a private garden.

On the pluss side there is a big field with houses at the back of our garden with horses!

OP posts:
Ignoringequally · 02/11/2020 20:19

If you liked the look of it, someone else will too.

Original poster
Starman2409 · 02/11/2020 20:20

I know about the hedge - i did stay within the law with the bamboo. She actually came in the garden when we were out.chopped about 5 feet off it!

OP posts:
Brakebackcyclebot · 02/11/2020 20:21

You're being silly! You may not like it any more but someone else will. It won't be worthless

NightRiders · 02/11/2020 20:22

Well she's broken the law then, don't t let people push you around. It's autumn now so there's no sun to block,

Binsella · 02/11/2020 20:24

I think you’re being a bit over dramatic OP. Your property clearly won’t be worthless.

JoJoSM2 · 02/11/2020 20:28

I think you’re being a bit over dramatic OP.

Exactly. People make different compromises when they buy.

Your neighbour has broken the law and I wouldn’t just let it slide.

RevolutionRadio · 02/11/2020 20:29

You ideally need to put a fence up to create a corridor for them to take their bins through rather than them going through the middle of your garden.

NightRiders · 02/11/2020 20:30

Put your bamboo back.
Get more if necessary
Tell your neighbour not to enter your garden or touch your property.
Consider frosted window film. You can get some really good ones.

Georgeoftheinternet · 02/11/2020 20:30

@user1471528245

It never ceases to amaze me why people live on main roads but they do, or buy a house next to a petrol station, Pub, office block but they do, what may not appeal to you will to someone else, if you dislike it that much sell up, if you have been there that long it will certainly be worth more than you paid but be realistic with the price and it’ll sell, or try and figure out what you can do with garden to make it more user friendly, get a designer around to give you some ideas, also if you stay within the law your entitled to grow a hedge even if others don’t like it
Yep this!

New build house down the road have sold. The parking is in their front garden, I can see right through their kitchen to their lounge, tarmac drive way (looks awful), small rooms.... but hey it’s a new build so people don’t care/it fits their budget.

IceniWarrior · 02/11/2020 20:31

Put the feelers out and advertise? See if anyone is interested and then make a plan. Ignore your neighbour and report to the police / Council / whoever you report these things to if she comes into your garden and cuts your plants back. Can you plant some Himalayan birch? The don't grow as tall as normal birch and are easier to shape to control.

YenniferOfVengeberg · 02/11/2020 20:31

Your neighbour has committed criminal damage. Bamboo back up and make bloody sure that she knows even things about doing it again you'll involve the police.

MistressIggi · 02/11/2020 20:32

Lots of people don't use their gardens. Make the house itself nice if you sell. Doesn't sound like you are happy there any more

SirSamuelVimes · 02/11/2020 20:32

House prices are surging. Why not put it on the market and see what happens?

Chloemol · 02/11/2020 20:33

Put a fence up, with trellis on top and grown something up it

Breastfeedingworries · 02/11/2020 20:38

Grow a really thorny rose bush, grow it up a fence that you use to divid garden so they don’t walk in yours. Grin

CambsAlways · 02/11/2020 20:38

Your property isn’t worthless if you aren’t happy put it up for sale

Whysrumgone · 02/11/2020 20:38

What was your response to your neighbour committing criminal damage to your property??

Alternista · 02/11/2020 20:41

You bought for 200k seven years ago.
It’s now valued at 300k.
How is it worthless?

ArcheryAnnie · 02/11/2020 20:43

@Starman2409

I know about the hedge - i did stay within the law with the bamboo. She actually came in the garden when we were out.chopped about 5 feet off it!
Blimey! That was out of order!