Is neighbour trying to sabotage future sale?

[Woobeedoo]

I’ve spent time and a ton of energy getting my house in good order for going on the market and my neighbour has been well aware of this.

Our houses are link detached so we have a shared alleyway running between our houses that give access (plus emergency service access if ever needed) to each of our gardens.

My problem is that whilst I have nothing in the alleyway, they have 4 massive buckets of sand and cement, approx 80 bricks, 3 bags of slate rubble, two broken fence panels and 3 concrete gravel boards and two huge A-frame ladders. In short it’s rammed and impossible to walk from one end to the other without tripping over or snagging clothing on something.

I have politely asked 3 times for the alley to be cleared at various stages of getting the house on the market (so giving enough notice, not throwing it on them last minute) even saying the agent has asked too but I just get “Oh yeah, of course” and nothing happens.

I am getting twitchy, anxious and irritable about this and can’t help but feel they are actively trying to sabotage - today they even dumped a wardrobe and mattress in their front garden. I could swear, cry or both.

How do I get them to take notice of me and clear their cr4p. I’m reluctant to go down the legal letter route as I’d then have to inform potential buyers of this which won’t look good.

So - be honest with me. Would neighbour clutter put you off proceeding with a property or would you see beyond that and base your decision on the property for sale and the rest of the street which is fine.

Sorry for waffle, didn’t realise how stressed and anxious about this I am and we’ve barely begun!

It can put s lot of people off when there is a lot of rubbish and crap in neighbouring gardens. It normally comes with a certain type of neighbour that not many people want to live next door to! We took the risk where we live now and it paid off for us, but it could have backfired completely. Now they have actually moved on and we have amazing neighbours now.

It would put me off, sorry. We viewed a nice house but the house next door had loads of black bags out the front and broken furniture lying out there, ripped nets in the window etc and I just didn’t want to take the risk as I’ve had bad neighbours before who had no respect for their property and did not enjoy it!

Why would they want to sabotage your sale?

What do the deeds say about the shared alley? Is it supposed to be kept clear?

It would 100% put me off and has. Years ago we were very interested in a house but the neighbours were dirty, messy pigs. Rubbish and junk all over the gardens, their house itself was a state. No matter how much I loved that house I never would have bought it.

Is it definitely shared or does one property have a right of access over the other's land? Presumably you have not yet had viewings so the front garden items will be gone by the time you do.

The alley would put me off, what does it say on your Deeds about keeping the alley clean and free of obstructions, it's a fire and safety risk if you or the emergency services cant get through.

Yes it would make me say a definite no to buying. But the shared alleyway/access would have done that anyway.

We looked to rent only and the shared alley was for bin access in bin day. We had a big ddog and I didn't fancy one day a week the gate being left open.. You need full facts...

I think as long as the agent says next door is renovating hence the rubbish it wouldn’t bother me.

If someone views they will ask about the shared alley and access, they could end up having to get legal advice about having it kept clear. I would be very reluctant to have to do that. The agent cant just lie and say they are renovating, even if they are the stuff should be stored in their garden out the way, not in a shared area.

Renovating =noise...
Lots of noise...

It would bother me. We have a good look at the neighbours' gardens and any shared spaces (as far as possible anyway!) as have lived next door to some nightmares before.
Could you pop round and say can it be moved today or else I'll store it in my garage/shed for you for the duration of the viewings, or something like that? I feel like they need some sort of friendly ultimatum? If they say no, I guess that's when you ask why on earth not, and start discussing the legal repercussions (but research that first so you know you are in the right!).

@30degreesandmeltinghere

Renovating =noise... Lots of noise...

Ok, just completing a renovation then. And a sale takes at least four months normally.

andthenanothercupoftea As soon as we said we were thinking of moving (silly us) they said how they didn’t want us to leave, didn’t want new people moving in next door to them, they really really liked us etc etc. Shortly after that the alley filled up with clutter. Their lack of motivation in tidying just seems like they think if they leave it messy, no one will buy hence sabotage.

To answer other questions:

1. We don’t have anywhere we can store their stuff for them - that’s what their garden is for.
2. It’s a gated alleyway so totally secure.
3. Not sure what / if the deeds say anything about keeping the alley clear so will check that out.
4. They have been putting in a new bathroom so have been renovating so that part has a degree of truth.
5. Definitely a 50/50 share of the alley.

Do not offer to help them with storing their stuff.

Ooh or could you perhaps mention in conversation (while you are asking her again to move the stuff!) that if it doesn't sell you might consider renting it out so that you can move anyway?! Surely they'd prefer it to actually sell to someone fairly permanent rather than rented?

Probably not a good idea to let neighbours know too much about your plans!

We declined to make an offer on a beautiful house, because of how the neighbours kept their front and back gardens.

The front was covered in old tyres and rusty tractors and parts. The back had actual cages for dogs that barked a lot!! Then when we were viewing, the neighbour started using a chain saw to cut logs!! It was raining at the time, so I think it was passive aggressive on his part!!

I sometimes look up the photos from the old property listing. Such a lovely house and beautiful gardens. It still hadn't sold 3 years later!!

What would they say if you offered to help/just clear it?

lastqueenofscotland
I think offering to help is the way forward, providing of course that doesn’t leave space for them to suddenly bring something else out in its place!

I wouldnt store it for them, if the buyer finds out and it's all just put back once you've moved they will not be happy. I would tell ndn that you have an elderly visitor coming and need the access path clear for them. I wouldnt tell them your moving plans any more just in case it is deliberate. I wonder what they will do if you tell them you have changed your minds. If you and any buyer owns half of that space that gives you the right to use it and do they need permission to use up your half for their own jse.

Tell them if they moved the mattress/rest of the crap, this would help you to sell.
If they then don't move the items, say that you're having trouble selling, so you're considering renting it out on some kind of house share. They might quickly change their minds!

Perhaps suggesting that the house will only appeal to non families, e.g. landlords/renters, if the alley/garden areas doesn't look good might prompt some action? I'm sure they'd prefer a family to a possible steady turnover of renting neighbours.

I would tell them that if you cannot sell you will rent the property out. They are definitely trying to sabotage the sale.

My friends ex neighbor tried something similar but it didnt work.

I don't understand people like this.