Found what might be the perfect property but….

[Poppie2023]

Hi mumsnetters,

As the title states, I found a property I really like which is semi detached. The neighbouring property on the same side where the property is detached is a house conversion split in to two flats. However, when looking at their garden from the upstairs bedroom, I noticed what appears to be a very large type of outhouse taking up the whole length of their garden. So garden is out of use. I then looked on Google Earth to see what it shows and saw some additional objects in the second garden which I believe also belongs to the same landlord based on the layout of the conversion we saw. I understand it’s their garden and their property, however my concern is about any noisy type of business activity or hazardous liquids.

I would like to make enquiries with the vendor and the local council but know that this property is very likely to go during this time. Do you have any ideas what this might be? and would you make an offer? Please see the attached image looking at the red X which is the outhouse and the objects alongside which looks like bin bags.

Definitely a no from me. Any serious issues or problems you have once you move in have to be declared in any subsequent house sales. Whatever they are up to could make your house unsellable if there’s a problem. You’re already being put off as this thread highlights, others will be too. Maybe it’s quiet but it’s going to worry people and it looks like something commercial has been shoehorned into this small residential area imo.

I wouldn't worry about it being sold before you!

Agree with you. It’s two gardens away. Not sure if it’s rubbish or junk but whatever it is, it’s not good.

Have you googled the address?

It looks like a garage to me. I see what looks like an access road that runs behind the properties to garages on the right hand side, with access to the back gardens of the properties on the left. All of the houses with the garages opposite have structures at the end of their gardens which suggests they are taking advantage of the back access onto the road to have additional garaging or sheds they can access from that end of their property.

Did you go and have a walk around the back when you viewed? If not I suggest you drive down there tomorrow and have a look down that access and see what you can see from there.

The rubbish in the garden could be building waste or it could be something more problematic. Have you checked when the google image was taken? It may be years out of date.

Aren't the strange-looking rubbish bags in the garden of the neighbouring house?

Have you seen that programme on TV “Slum landlords & Nightmare Tenants” (or something like that). They had a property on it a while back that had multiple occupants, and a huge outhouse in the garden housing loads more people, all in awful conditions. It could be one of those?

I look at aerial photos all the time for work. I have no clue what that is. Would love to know

bags of silage? is it a rural area?

Bags of rubbish etc would definitely attract rats and pests so not great.

Are there any images from different dates? It might have changed since that image was taken

Have a look at maps on Bing rather than Google as I think their maps are less up to date. We found out some interesting changes made to the house we are buying by doing this.

Do NOT buy a property with that next door, the gardens look 😱😱😱😱.
100% will be neighbours from hell, either because it looks like dodgy accomodation ( beds in sheds ) as well as rubbish dump.
Stay well
clear.

I would put money on it being a HMO or similar set-up.

To clarify, the bin bag garden is next door but one to the one you’re looking at? So the one with the massive structure using up the garden is in between?

either way I would be wary.

Thank you for all of this information, i’ll revisit google earth and check dates, and yes it’s worth while checking out the back access as i wasn’t able to at the time as I had to go straight to several other viewings.

@Poppie2023
Get on the council planning portal for the local authority that the house is under rather than your own one.

Yes, based on the front layout of the conversion I believe he/she may own both properties and looks like it can be accessed from the first garden when looking on the map. I initially thought it was one of the same garden.

Give us the postcode and I guarantee we will find you answers!

Google street view is often good, you might get 4 years from the last 10. Most google earth images I seem find are 10-12 years old.

I would be down that access alley having a snoop.

😂😂😂😂 I no, I’m worrying which is not a good sign😂😂😂😂😂

You can also put the address in Companies House to see if any business is registered there? (Although if it's dodgy it may not be!)

I don’t know how to get the Birds Eye view using just google maps instead of earth. Defo, in need of a snoop!

Perfect! Will have a search.

Will do! I wasn't going to search my own, was querying if I would have to be a resident to that borough but have the answer now 🙃

Yes I noticed that. There’s a lot going on in them gardens!