Selling our house but have to disclose neighbour dispute

[Pegs11]

Hi, we are selling our house and we’ve just accepted an offer… unfortunately on the solicitors forms, legally, we will have to disclose a dispute we had with our neighbours over noise (they kept having loud parties) and which went to the council (they are social housing tenants) and then to mediation. This was three years ago and it was resolved and we haven’t had any cause to complain since then. Still, I’m concerned that when our buyer sees it on the form, she might be put off. It’s making me very anxious. Just wondered what people’s thoughts are.

I don’t think is true. It’s only if you make the dispute formal by telling someone council/police etc that you have to declare. A shouting match between two neighbours (for instance) doesn’t need to be disclosed

It wouldn't put me off. My dh and I were probably noisy when we first moved in. Three years later and a couple of babies there were no more parties. A lot can change in 3 years. Our neighbours were a right pita when they first moved in, bit again they have all grown up and there are no issues.

I’m in a similar situation, op, although not trying to sell yet. So I’m really interested to hear how you get on. I think it’s good news that you have an investor potentially as a buyer as I can’t imagine them caring about this.

God no, You wouldn’t see me for dust.

BTL won’t care.

Don’t you just have to declare “ongoing” issues. Yours has been dealt with and therefore resolved . Check out the wording to ensure you don’t disclose anything you don’t have to .

This is why you have a solicitor. Ask them.

Watching with interest as had to call the police out to an argument with a neighbour last year that ended in a fight Not planning to sell for a couple of years though so hope there's no repeat. We haven't spoken since.

No legally you have to declare past and current, it’s all. And if you don’t then they buyers can take legal action against you, as this was formal and extensive the op needs to declare she is at a lot of risk if she doesn’t.

Two thirds of our back garden was going to be retained by the local authority. Look up, 'garden grabbing.' The local authority owned part of our back garden. A throw back to it being a council estate many years ago. The back garden of dozens of other houses in the same street/estate were the same.

Husband and I and concerned neighbours complained to the council, did leaflet drops to all the local houses, attended public planning meetings wrt to it and raised many objections to it.

We were candid to our buyers what was happening and our involvement in objecting. It didn't put them off buying.

Not a noise complaint but still.

The local authority were going to shoe horn another housing estate in the back garden of dozens of affected housing.
I remember photocopying and printing many documents regarding the proposed development, letters from and to the council etc etc so I could send them or the original documents as a bundle to the buyers' solicitor.

Few thoughts - 1) yes the BTL landlord is less likely to be concerned and 2) get your solicitor to advise how to answer with the minimum you must to still be covered on the form.

The fact it was resolved and was 3 years ago is pretty good.

Completely agree with this. Quite apart from our current situation, in a previous house a neighbour started some aggro with us during the sales process (had got on very well previously, so brilliant timing there) and our solicitor’s advice was excellent and practical. Will take their advice on how, what and when to disclose when we come to sell this one too.

And, yes, to pps. The question about disputes is framed very broadly. No time periods, etc.

If there have been no issues at all in 3 years then I would think many buyers will be ok with this. Some people may be put off by the fact the neighbours are social housing tenants but that’s a separate issue.

My former neighbour was in an Oasis tribute band and loudly practiced singing and guitar playing at 5am. He was a long distance lorry driver and was used to waking up at 3am to start his day. It really was torture and to this day I shiver when I hear Don’t Look Back in Anger on the radio. I politely asked him to tone it down but he ignored me. I knew I wanted to sell so bit my lip and didn’t launch a formal complaint.

The BTL investor will not care at all.

It would put me off. While I’d appreciated there had been no issues in three years I wouldn’t want to live next door to such inconsiderate people who ever thought this was ok.

To those saying BTL will not care, I think that's not necessarily correct. I would care as a BTL - because no one wants complaints or people threatening to jot pay rent due to noise. You want to buy somewhere where your tenants will be happy in order to have reasonably long term lets.

A quick Google brings up a solicitors website that says this below, so it would suggest that if the neighbours that you reported still live there you have to declare, under past disputes.

A further search on a legal website suggests that if you don't declare and the new buyer finds out you had issues they can sue you and have 6 years to do so.

MORE RESULTS

Do you have to declare disputes with Neighbours when selling a house UK?

Do you have to declare neighbour disputes when selling a house? You do have to declare both past and current neighbour disputes when you sell a property, or you risk legal action being taken against you by the buyer of your home.

I’d talk to the buyers. I bought mine with a neighbour dispute that saw the police being called more than once.
They are fine, honestly not had any bother. I spoke to the previous owner who admitted it was a huge personality clash and they used to wind each other up

I think people have suggested a BTL landlord will worry less - it is not a recent dispute and most landlords make business decisions. The reality is there could be a noisy neighbour anywhere, declared or not.

I think 3 years ago is fine. Wouldn't put me off.
I'd put something vague like
Previous neighbour party noise, resolved 3 years ago, no further disputes since.

Implying previous neighbour but meaning previous party noise by neighbour.

I was just wondering what comeback you have if you buy a house and the disclosure about ghastly neighbours either wasn’t declared or there was no police etc involvement?

BTL investor probably won’t care.

I would assume you decided the move three years ago and therefore didn’t complain anymore.

I would absolutely pull out - as you know it’s a misery to live beside bad neighbours

For those saying, they don’t officially complain about neighbours for this reason, there is also a question on the form which states you should declare any issues which you think may arise in the future. Not that this would apply in this case.

If the buyers discover the complain (usually through gossiping neighbours) they can take you to court.

Honestly, I'd run a mile. Sorry.