Buying a house

[Somerset1972]

Just looking for a bit of advice. We put an offer in on a house a month or so ago. The house had previously been on the market at 300k. Sale fell through due to the buyer hearing that a residential housing area was going to be built on the open fields sat the back. House comes back on the market at a reduced rate and I called the estate agent, she told me about the proposed residential development, we didn’t mind houses at the back of us so we put an offer in for 275k which was accepted. Anyway, fast forward a few weeks, we’ve just found out that they’re not just building houses at the back, our searches came back. They’re actually building 20 hectares of employment buildings, meaning office blocks and warehouses/factories. The seller and estate agent knew this but didn’t tell us. I sort of feel this changes everything and that houses and factories/warehouses are 2 very different things, I feel they should have been more honest. Would I be unreasonable to ask them to drop the price? The development will decrease the value of the property dramatically. I know it’s not their fault but had they been transparent in the first place I would have put a lesser offer on the table!

Do you really want to continue with this house. That building work will massively affect you. What sort of factories will be built. The development will decrease the value, there will be months of works.the agent and seller lied to you. I would pull out.

Pull out Op

I would pull out. There is no way I’d want to live with all of that backing onto me. If you’re set on the house, I’d tell them you’re dropping the price to xxx take it or leave it.

I would pull out. Do you really want high up offices overlooking your house? there's some new builds not far from me that have lots of office blocks opposite. I always wonder why someone would buy w house there

I’d also pull out. Find somewhere else x

Thanks. I really wouldn’t be unreasonable then. Around 3 suitable houses have come on the market near us in months! We were pretty desperate for this. If they refuse to reduce the price by a fair whack then I think we’ll have to pull out. I know it’s a shame for them but I suppose I should actually be thinking of us!

You will have months and months of noise, dirty air, traffic obstructions, you might not be able to sell it on later,don't worry about them, they knew about the plans and kept it from you. You will find somewhere else, whereabouts are you looking.

We’re looking in the Cheshire area, the housing market is ruthless atm, especially with the small area we need to buy in. There’s too many people and not enough houses, same story in a lot of places I suppose! We looked at new builds but they’re so so small with no room for even a garden shed!

Can you widen the area or do you have to be in one particular place. Theres nothing where I want to move to either.

I'd pull out and take them to small claims for your expenses - the estate agent needs to inform you of anything that may affect your offer.

Id pull out, not only unsightly, but the workers will be parking their cars on the residents streets....

It depends on what type of industrial. Many don't have too many workers (only robotic one). How far is the proposed development from the property, can it be shielded by trees?

One school took 3 years to build and that created an awful lot of noise and dust over a large area - increased traffic, was another issue.

Think carefully.

I'd definitely pull out regardless of price reductions. Like pp said you'll have the disruption of the building work itself and when it is done, what if it changes how you feel about the house? Residential is one thing and you can imagine the outcome but with office blocks and warehouses it is a bit unknown. How much information have you got about what exactly the buildings will be used for and how that will affect you?

In your position, Somerset, I would back out now and look for another house. There's the world of difference between backing on to houses and an industrial development.

Back to Rightmove and more searches. You'll find somewhere else eventually.

I would withdraw my offer and put in a letter of complaint to the manager of the estate agents. They are bang out of order for not revealing this to you. I hope you haven’t incurred a lot of expenditure. You have paid out for searches and so that must be about £300 plus solicitors fees. Try and get the agents to reimburse? They probably won’t but it’s worth a try.

On the proposed plans 24 acres is being reserved to ‘employment’ units. So I’m thinking this could be anything from shops, offices warehouses even small manufacturing units. It’s such a shame the council are allowing it to happen. It’s unspoilt green belt full of oak trees that are hundreds of years old..and they’re taking all of it. A nice well built housing estate I wouldn’t mind, the housing development looks great, community orchards and allotments, a kids park, it looks great, would have been lovely for my kids to access too. I’m so annoyed they’re allowing this massively imposing industrial area that covers 3/4 of the land!

Here's an article about the relevant legislation OP. Please don't let them get away with this.

hoa.org.uk/2013/10/what-estate-agents-have-to-tell-you-changes-to-the-law/