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Original poster

Renegotiate after offer accepted because of neighbour?

127 replies

TheLondoner00 · 01/05/2023 15:34

Had an offer accepted recently. As part of the searches and due diligence, my solicitor flagged that the next door house just received planning permission to create a set of flats and do a full roof and back extension that extends past the property we are trying to buy. This will partially block the sunlight and reduce privacy because the neighbour’s top floor balcony will overlook into the property. There is no way the sellers can deny this because this is exactly what they submitted to the council as an official ‘objection’ during the consultation phase (no idea how this still got approved by the council, but here we are).

As this will significantly impact the property and my ability to sell it on in the future, can I renegotiate my offer? If so, what is a reasonable amount to put forward?

For context: the offer that was accepted was almost 10% below asking, but the property had been on for awhile (likely because it was overpriced), there were no other offers, and I think the sellers are desperate to move on

OP posts:

Theunamedcat · 01/05/2023 15:37

I wouldn't buy with that going on

Ilikewinter · 01/05/2023 15:39

Ooh thats tricky...are you sure you still want to buy the house? Im not sure how you would calculate the £ impact on your property but I would think it would be a considerable amount when you come to sell.

Sulusu · 01/05/2023 15:40

I wouldn't buy it all to be honest.

pilates · 01/05/2023 15:41

I would be actively looking for another property.

unbelieveable22 · 01/05/2023 15:41

I would pull out.

EggInANest · 01/05/2023 15:41

Would the house still work for you with flats next door?

Would some of your garden still be sunny / private? Have you got off street parking, because there could now be extra cars on the street. Is it semi detached ? I wouldn’t want living rooms next to my bedrooms. Will they be sitting out on the balcony increasing the noise?

If all these issues are OK / liveable with, I would definitely renegotiate the offer, depending on the impact. But hard to say how much.

I bet it hasn’t sold so far because of these issues.

Stratocumulus · 01/05/2023 15:44

It’s so important in light of this revelation to think about your resale value for when the time comes.
Also I’d be thinking about the disruption, noise & dust, during construction. Who needs it?
Sorry OP bug I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.

almostwarm · 01/05/2023 15:51

I would walk away. It's a lot of noise and disruption in the short term to end up with a house that is worth less.
I would also be worried that the sellers didn't highlight this to you.
We once sold a house that had a development planned in a nearby field, we told everyone and found buyers who didn't care.
What else are these sellers going to try and hide.

justhavinalook · 01/05/2023 15:52

IMO, most likely that's why they're selling up in the first place.
(Lucky you found out)

I'd definitely walk away due to months/years of disruption + a permanent decrease in the peace and space long term.

The only exception being if you thought you could make a killing in doing the same thing, and just see it as an investment.

mycoffeecup · 01/05/2023 15:53

Surely you're withdrawing your offer? Mad to buy that property now.

Kentlassie · 01/05/2023 15:54

Pull out. That is why they are selling. It will be hugely disruptive.

Original poster

TheLondoner00 · 01/05/2023 15:54

Thank you! It’s a detached house with a massive garden, and is otherwise perfect. Completely modernised, fully extended.. the works! We could move in tomorrow and wouldnt even need to do any repainting. But yes, the situation plus the disruption for 6-18 months while the renovations are going on are really making me reconsider my offer. At my current offer (almost 10% below asking), I think it’s fair for the house as it currently stands. Given this latest information, I’d need an additional 3-5% off to feel comfortable.. It’s big, but otherwise I think I may walk away entirely

OP posts:

Triggerfinger · 01/05/2023 15:54

100% pull out. That all sounds awful.

Snowjokes · 01/05/2023 15:55

You can renegotiate your offer at any point. I’d want more than 3-5% off for that I think.

momtoboys · 01/05/2023 15:56

I would do whatever I could to get out of the sale.

rainingsnoring · 01/05/2023 16:02

TheLondoner00 · 01/05/2023 15:54

Gosh. I would pull out personally as well.
3-5% off is very little considering the level of disruption and the significant loss of value of the property for when you come to sell.
They are obviously selling because of this and haven't informed you.

SorePaw · 01/05/2023 16:07

3-5% you're mad!

I'd be pulling out. It won't be finished in 18 months & will over look the property. Resale will be awful. No wonder you got 10% off asking. They knew all this so they can't be surprised if you pull out not you've found out.

I wouldn't buy a house from someone who treated me like an idiot.

UnshakenNeedsStirring · 01/05/2023 16:08

ID walk away from it, not worth the aggravation and the noise pollution

TakeMyStrongHand · 01/05/2023 16:13

If they were hiding that, are they hiding anything else? Especially when you were so obviously going to find out.

What else is available in the area and if this is an amazing house, I would be thinking short term hassle during the building for long term enjoyment. Who will live in the flats? I'd negotiate lower 100%. Would I withdraw? Only you know how good the house is for you.

EggInANest · 01/05/2023 16:19

How far from the boundary is the house to be redeveloped?

I doubt the work will take 18m as they will want to start recouping costs asap, but it will take 6m.

I’d start be reducing by another 10%. Maybe off current offer. If you still want the house.

KievLoverTwo · 01/05/2023 16:21

Add 20% on top of the height and 20% on top of the width of what they have put in for planning. In my experience, people get planning then often do what the fuck they like.

3-5% is NOT enough.

30%, or walk away.

You also need to consider that the vendors clearly knew about this and tried to hide it. What else might they be hiding. They cannot be trusted.

2bazookas · 01/05/2023 16:23

The sellers should have revealed this as a neighbour dispute.TBH
I;m surprised you made an offer before your lawyer (or you!) checked out the local planning dept.

But you did, and now the only sensible course is to back out of the sale citing you share the same objections as the seller.

annonymousmouseinyourhouse · 01/05/2023 16:24

I would pull out.

The sellers should have told you and is likely why they're selling.

The trust would be gone for me.

Reugny · 01/05/2023 16:24

EggInANest · 01/05/2023 16:19

How far from the boundary is the house to be redeveloped?

I doubt the work will take 18m as they will want to start recouping costs asap, but it will take 6m.

I’d start be reducing by another 10%. Maybe off current offer. If you still want the house.

Depends on the developer.

In the last down turn the flats and houses that were being redeveloped or built near me had work randomly stopped on them. It then took around another 2 years for the work to finish.

I wouldn't like to live next door to that.

TheSnowyOwl · 01/05/2023 16:27

They should have advertised the property with its value being in line with the work that was to be carried out next door so lowering your offer might not be accepted on those grounds (depends how desperate they are to sell).

I’d pull out.

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