Buying a house – three windows and the front door have just been smashed. Would this worry you?

[BeQuaintLion]

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in the process of buying a house, and something rather concerning has come to light over the last couple of days. I’d really appreciate some outside opinions.
I had a survey carried out on the property yesterday, and it was the surveyor who initially discovered that three separate windows and the front door had been smashed/vandalised. This damage has only occurred within the last few days, as it wasn’t present previously.
What strikes me as particularly strange is the extent of the damage.
If it were just one smashed window, I’d probably put it down to a passing yob or mindless vandalism. Similarly, if someone was attempting to break in, why would they need to smash three separate windows AND the front door?
To me, this seems more deliberate and targeted rather than a random act of vandalism.
To make matters more concerning, I’ve since heard some unverified information suggesting that the damage could potentially be connected to previous occupants of the property, although I have absolutely no way of knowing whether there’s any truth in that.
The house is currently vacant, and until this happened, everything had been progressing nicely with the purchase. I’ve already had my mortgage offer issued, and the conveyancing process is well underway.
I’m now wondering whether there could be some history attached to the property that I’m completely unaware of, and whether whoever caused the damage might return.
I’ve raised the matter with the estate agent and intend to ask my solicitor to make further enquiries.
What I’d really like people’s opinions on is:

• Does smashing three windows and a front door seem like targeted vandalism to you?
• Would this make you suspicious that there’s something more going on?
• Has anyone experienced anything similar when purchasing a property?
• Would you continue with the purchase if you could establish what happened, or would this be enough to put you off?
• Would you consider renegotiating the purchase price, given that this has happened during the buying process?

I’m particularly interested in whether others think I’m overthinking the situation or whether my concerns are justified. It’s a lovely property that I was genuinely excited about buying, but the last thing I want is to move into a house that might be the subject of ongoing trouble. Would you be concerned if this happened to a house you were in the middle of buying? Thanks in advance!

yes i understand that, will probably take her about two months to do that of course 😒

I’d be hesitant but if I really loved the house I’d check with the neighbours before pulling out

I know it seems prolonged but thugs are vile these days and seemingly get a kick and a high from such things so they were probably getting carried away!

However you can put the postcode in online and check local crime rates there’s some sort of tool

It would put me off. I would be concerned that it was found by the surveyor and not reported by the neighbours at the time. That makes me think that that kind of things isn't totally unusual in the area. Where I live now that sort of thing would be noticed whilst happening or if not at least reported when the neighbours saw the damage. However I have previously lived somewhere people would literally watch things like that happen and not do a single thing even if asked directly by the police.

You can imagine my shock when i opened the survey PDF!

I’d pull out too. Not worth the risk.

Could it be these urban explorers who break in to abandoned houses to look round and take photos?
It would put me off. I think I’d speak to the police and neighbours to find out more

That sounds as though you are using a "pile it high and sell it cheap firm". A good solicitor should move faster but is still dependent on inquiries being returned. However, our last cpl of purchases have taken six weeks including tpo's. But, we paid for a quality solicitor.

I wouldn't buy it, not worth the risk in case it continues. Anti social behaviour is a nightmare and you'd have trouble selling it on.

I couldn’t live with that worry of “what if?” when I would be in that house if I were to proceed. I

I don’t know what you’re hoping to achieve by talking to the neighbours? Even if they say it was a one-off that had never happened before on the road it could happen again. They also may not have knowledge about the owner and / or his son that may be relevant here.

Not wishing to scaremonger but thats happened a couple of times round here & it’s been pretty bad circumstances. One was a lad who murdered his girlfriend & one a lad who did a hit & run. Both times it was the parents houses that were targeted. Sorry.

There was house for sale near ours which got smashed like this but also vandalised inside because it was owned by a pervert....
Who was not there anymore.

I would pull out. IfI am honest. Even if it's nit targeted, it raises many questions about the nice area

So bizzare and out of place.

Honestly it would totally put me off and I would pull out.

Our last house had something similar happen but before we viewed it...

Rural detached house with only one neighbour who was far enough away not to notice. It was a repossession that had sat empty for ages as the couple who'd been repossessed had moved back to their other house in a different part of the UK. The house was obviously empty of furniture etc, but a few items were found to be wrecked (glass hob and shower were smashed), but obviously that might have been the owners before they left - the EA didn't have a clue!

The EA suggested it was kids from the nearest village who had broken two ground floor windows (in two different rooms).

It was definitely concerning, but not sufficiently for us to pull out of the purchase - and there was no further anti social activity whatsoever during the six and a half years we lived there.

It depends how quiet a street it is and the distance to the next house. We live next to a park and when the previous owners were renovating it before moving in, the local kids broke windows because it was empty. Similarly, the house next door was left empty whilst for sale and the local kids had a field day with a broken door, several broken windows and a hole in the roof from several break ins.

Since our living room is at the furthest point from next door, we simply didn’t hear most of it (and it did escalate until the house was boarded up). Our neighbours on the other side are elderly and hard of hearing - and I’m sure not wanting to get involved was part of it with them too, whereas I was on the phone to the police straight away.

I’d enquire with neighbours about the previous occupant. Is he really in a care home or might he be in prison? My concern would be it might be a targeted attack linked to the previous occupant.

Ask the neighbours.

Can your solicitor find out if it has been empty following a repossession by a lender? I have heard stories about the previous owners who were removed for failing to pay getting aggressive towards the potential new owner.

@BeQuaintLion If it were just one smashed window, I’d probably put it down to a passing yob or mindless vandalism. Similarly, if someone was attempting to break in, why would they need to smash three separate windows AND the front door? To me, this seems more deliberate and targeted rather than a random act of vandalism.

It's not a break in. Burglars try to be as quiet as possible and take great measures to ensure they're not seen. Thefts also tend to be opportunistic - they will generally target houses with unlocked doors or open windows.

Is racism a possibility?

Could it be the previous tenant aggrieved at having to move out?

Please see the reply from @ILoveKits . Your solicitor will send the vendor a form with questions about disputes with neighbours for example and you should specifically instruct them to question this point in depth. If the vendor doesn't disclose or lied it gives you grounds for later redress even after completing.

This happened a house near me when it was vacant but was empty for years owner in a nursing home and died and was on sale for ages. Once the new owner moved it it was perfect no damage as it was been lived it.

I'd be knocking on the NDNs doors and asking about occupant history.

I'd have a good google of any information you have; the address and I assume you have the seller's name from the memo of sale? You could try asking in any local businesses which have been around for ages corner shops, pubs, cafes, etc see if anyone knows of anything concerning.

I’m surprised at people saying pull out. Unless you’re buying an off plan new build, all homes come with a history and therefore a risk of sorts. I’d assume it was targeted if sitting empty. Either by bored youths messing around or someone hoping there was still some material of value inside - especially if they think there’s building materials lying around if it looks like a renovation. Also, if it was about previous owners back story, you’d expect to see graffiti or more evidence than just broken windows.

100% ask the neighbours, you’d hope someone might have heard activity. Have a wander as late at night as you can safely manage, it’s the best way to see how things are in a neighbourhood, but assuming you’ve already checked the crime stats for the area?

Personally, this would not put me off in any way, other than to ensure the cost of repairs was negotiable off the price or covered through a separate transaction (this way is usually preferred). Good luck OP.