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?

How fortunate you are to be such a perfect person. 🙄

Thank you everyone for your responses. I have made contact with the person who sent me the letter and we’ve arranged that they come around on Saturday. I’ve also warned them too that since we purchased the property from his parents 32 years ago, the house does look completely different- loft conversion, rear extension and excavation to the basement - plus a few walls have come down to open up what was a dark and dingy living space.

Surely you would know the surname of the people who had lived there before? Does it match? If so, I would definitely be inclined to let him come; perhaps contact by email before you commit to anything and see if you can scope him out a bit.... does he have any photos of the house as it was?

Make sure you aren't alone when he does come obviously, but enjoying hearing about the history of your home and neighbourhood. I am really interested in these kinds of things and have been thrilled when we've previous owners from decades ago have turned up here (twice in 20 years)

Some years ago we took my elderly grandmother on a trip down memory lane to her home town to visit her childhood home (after writing to the present owners)... obviously it was completely different inside (1920s vs 2000s) the owners were very interested to hear about life in the house in the 1920s and meet someone who had been born in their bedroom!

By sheer chance the same people also knew the current occupants of my grandmother's grandparents' home around the corner, so we were able to have a look in there too - a fabulous rambling Victorian property on three storeys which my ancestors had from new in the 1880s and which my grandmother remembered visiting as a girl. Loads of original features and Victorian style decor / atmosphere. The owners now have a copy of a sepia photo of my ancestors hanging in their hall so I like to think both sides got something from it.