Bizarre request… What would you do?

[good96]

We’ve lived in our current home since 1991 when we first brought it. I’ve had a letter come through my door this week from the previous owner’s son asking if he could pop around and see the property. He mentions in his letter that his mother had recently died in the last 6 months and would ‘love’ the opportunity to see the home that was in their family for over 40 years until they had to sell…
I’m inclined to say yes but I am a bit sceptical of letting a stranger into my house. What would you do?

I'd say no! It's been 30 years and quite frankly it's none of his business what the house looks like now.

I would be the same, inclined to say yes but sceptical that they are a stranger. My mum passed away last year and my sister keeps talking about getting in touch with the people that own our childhood home and getting the number plaque that my mum made for the front of the house.

I said if someone had asked me I would give it to them, given the circumstances and for me this is along the same lines (as long as they are genuine obviously)

I would speak to him on the phone and if he seems genuine and pleasant, invite him around but only if you have other people in the house with you

I’d also speak to him and I’d be inclined to agree, he just wants to see his child hood home.

Isn't there a movie with this same scenario?

Let's just say it turns out very bad....

I don't think it is a bizarre request at all, but then I am really interested in family history - both of my own family and of the houses we've lived in.

I had a lovely chat a couple of years ago with a man who came to look at the house he and his sister were born in which was where we were living at the time - it had been divided into flats by then. He brought his grandchildren with him as well. I loved hearing about the time it was a family house.

I'd say yes. If a stranger wanted to enter your house for nefarious purposes this doesn't seem the most likely way to go about it.

fb.watch/lf8i2DDO9d/?startTimeMs=155000

I’d say no. It’s going to look completely different so I don’t see what he’s getting out of it. Too much potential for it to go weird

I'd let him but perhaps not while you're alone and with an excuse ready prepared if you want to cut his visit short (if he turns out to be a mad axe murderer or a just a bit of an irritant).
I quite understand the wish to revisit a childhood home. I'd live to see mine. It's about memories and perhaps a way for him to remember his mum in better times. It would be an easy and kind thing for you to do.

No it's creepy as fuck even if he is genuine; but you don't even know that he is.

I wouldn't - not 30 years later! If you do make sure you've got other people in the house (preferably intimidating looking ones) to make sure there's no funny ideas.

I had this with the previous owners daughter after he passed away.

I said yes.

She came with photos and stories as she lived there from when it was built in the 1960's. We are the second owners of this home.

It was lovely meeting her.

I'd say yes. I think he needs closure.

I think he needs closure.

Closure?

I'm pretty sure Ted Bundy seemed genuine and pleasant at first 🤣🫣

That was meant for @CrispsnDips lol 😂

I would be inclined to say yes unless you were suspicious that he isn't who he says he is

Agree with PP who said to start a chat and if you get any creepy vibes then you can change your mind

In a bad movie plot, his mother’s effects included a letter stating where in your house she had hidden some ‘treasure’ …

My DH went for a trip down memory lane a couple of years ago, visiting the village he grew up in and where his parents lived for many years. When he was outside their old house, the older couple who lived there here now came out to chat with him, and when they found out why he was there, invited him in for a cup of tea. They then fed him as well - he was quite freaked out by it because they had kept the existing kitchen and they sat him at the table in the same seat he had as a child, he felt like he'd gone back in time and was suddenly 10 years old again, rather than 50! It was a very sweet and trusting thing to do though.

It’s a nope from me

i'll admit I was in the area once and drove past my Grandma's house to check the house and the area out

I wouldn’t have wanted to go in 25 years later. The memories wouldn’t have been the same. I assumed the house had central heating by then and they wouldn’t all be snuggled in the living room round the fire

I'd love to see my childhood homes. And my nan's house, even though I know the memories aren't there any more. Her house was like a time capsule.

I would never ask, but if any of them came on the market I'd want to view.

I would be interested to see inside my childhood home. We had quite a bit of family tragedy and I found my dad collapsed when I was around 6 in the kitchen. We had other significant deaths and losses whilst in the house too and I wonder if revisiting would help me process some of what we went through.

I would be careful. If genuine then I probs would BUT we had someone come to our gate asking this. Our neighbour was in the garden (who had lived next door for 30 years) and overheard. He questioned them on when they lived there (they said 15 years ago and the family before us had lived there for 20 years). Turned out to be doing it in the area to scope out people's houses to burgle.

It's weird he hand delivered a letter instead of just knocking on the door. That would make me skeptical.

Unless I'm reading it wrong but 'a letter come through my door' sounds like a hand delivery rather than post.

I'd be skeptical anyway unless you had cast iron proof he was who he said he was.

I have looked up my childhood home on rightmove a few times. Its pretty unrecognisable inside but the retaining wall my DM built after going to evening classes in brickwork is still in the garden and it was nice to see it. He can just look at photos he doesnt have to actually come.