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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

What would you do re CCTV?

39 replies

seriouschanger · 07/09/2011 20:23

I need to sell my house but worried ex will start attacking house again esp as he will be wound up over maint order in coming weeks. I'll never sell with it up as people will think house a target (they would be correct but not for thieves etc)

Do I remove CCTV and risk attacks?

Do I keep it and never sell (as no one will want to buy if they get a sniff of trouble).

Help!!!

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 07/09/2011 20:35

Could you have moveable cameras in the house pointing out of the windows so you can hide them when viewers come round?

and talk to an estate agent, for some people CCTV is a plus if you are including it in the sale.

neuroticmumof3 · 07/09/2011 20:40

Don't remove your CCTV, especially if he's going to be getting pissed off at you over the coming weeks. Do you have an injunction in place? I don't think buyers will be put off by the cameras, lots of people have them. Your safety is the most important thing.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow · 07/09/2011 20:42

I think a little white lie would be ok.

Something like "oh they're fake, just to put people off"

or "oh i got a discount from my insurance company to put them up"

PeppermintPasty · 07/09/2011 20:49

If it helps, I'm a property lawyer and a few of my clients have had cctv on their homes in the past. IME buyers don't seem to regard it as a problem, especially if they've "chosen" that area to buy in(so presumably like it and have done some research).

If I were acting for the buyer I would though raise an enquiry about it-ie why do you have it/have you ever been burgled?(The latter question is a standard one anyway).

What SmugMarried says about the insurance co is a good one, but be aware that the clued up potential buyer might mention this to his/her solicitor and might expect to see proof. Outside chance, but you never know.

You could always (big fat lie-oops) say that you have no paperwork regarding it and the previous owner put it up....course if you've been there fifty yrs you might not get away with that....don't tell the Law Society I said that...!

Bogeyface · 07/09/2011 20:51

:o Peppermint!

I was going to suggest the "previous owners" lie too, but thought that it might not be very ethical! I wont tell if you dont.... :o

Original poster
seriouschanger · 07/09/2011 21:09

Yes you are right ladies I do need to keep the camera...so glad I come here for 'voice of reason' as I was going to get it taken down doh!!!

Peppermint thank you that is reassuring...I have lived here 12 yrs so dont think that this 'new' cctv was around then? So might get caught out saying previous owner as it is 5 months old the cctv and looks new. Also I was hoping by taking it down the screwdriver dents/sealed up letterbox (from the arson attempt) and the cracks in the front door from all the kicks wouldn't be noticed???? I cant afford a new front door!

OP posts:
Seabright · 07/09/2011 21:11

Don't lie. I'm a property lawyer too. The rule is, if the buyer asks, you mist tell them. If they don't ask, you don't have to tell them

Original poster
seriouschanger · 07/09/2011 21:57

Seabreeze if I say ex has tried to petrol bomb, break in middle of night, etc etc I don't think I will ever move lol!

I was just going to say I'm a single nervous mum and got high security as I am scared on my own....don't know if that'll work? It's the truth...just wont say about the nutty ex HA!!!

OP posts:
PeppermintPasty · 07/09/2011 22:04

I was joking, honest.

Well, with what you've said about the door, the dents, the letterbox, will they even notice the camera?Grin Seriously, I don't find it to be a big problem for people. A lot of buyers think it's responsible. Sign of the bloody times I guess.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 07/09/2011 23:49

peppermint ooohh you were joking...HA I thought it was great advice Grin very true about front door though Hmm that might not sell it!

well I hope it is a bonus...and I shouldn't need to take it as ex won't know where I am right? (if I remove my name from electoral).

Ok I have to keep it up now as too risky at this time...will put house up (no sign as don't want ex to see I am trying to move and try to follow me).

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 08/09/2011 00:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 00:29

Madam well their are 14 police calls from my house over ex in last 2 yrs...but rest of street quiet so I make up for whole street no ?Hmm
well as he usually stalks outside from around corner he might guess I am no longer there....I have no contact with him to tell him...well I do have his mobile number but I have not phoned it since 2009 when ex last had ds....don't really want to speak/contact ex again noway. He hasn't attacked (yippee) since CCTV was fitted so I don't think he will attack house again?

Maybe I shouldn't move??

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 08/09/2011 00:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 08/09/2011 00:47

Why are you planning to move?

If you're planning to move some considerable distance away where it's unlikely that he'll be able to track you down, you need to be aware that may be harder than you think and you're best advised to move the cctv to your new home.

Madam makes a good point about potential mayhem for the new owners of your house.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 00:54

I'm moving because of ex stalking to attack. Feel unsafe here and lots of MN advice to move.....can't move out of area as ds has statement and a school named which he is doing extremely well in now. But very big city so easy to hide...no?

OP posts:
BustersOfDoom · 08/09/2011 00:59

If he knows where your DS goes to school would he be able to follow you to your new home?

If it were me I'd want to be miles away. There are lots of great schools for DC with SN.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 01:11

I did let it slip where I wanted ds to go to school once but hopefully he forgot as 2 years ago? Also he could follow me from home now to the school to know where it is? But I know he hasn't done that as of yet as I watch very carefully. I would change my car and hair colour if moved. He was driving around 1st school few months ago...so I know he doesn't know about this one.

Ds only been their 9 weeks and was never in school fulltime before that as failed 2 schools b4 this one. It is one of a kind plus he only has his nan (my side) and she is very old and he would miss that only family contact/support (so would I).

OP posts:
izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 08/09/2011 01:15

As Buster has said, if your ds is going to remain at the same school and if your ex knows which school your ds attends, there's going to be little point in moving because he'll track you down in no time.

Do you have injunctions/non-molestation orders in place? Has your ex been arrested and/or cautioned by the police?

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 01:16

Madam I think he would run a mile if he saw a strapping bloke at house as he is a coward and ? only likes to pick on me knowing I don't have any support to back me up. He wouldn't be jealous though lol...he just wants to terrorise/kill us etc it is a hate thing not a love thing LOL!!

That's the thing CCTV won't be in price of sale as need the protection just incase!

OP posts:
BustersOfDoom · 08/09/2011 01:21

Ah well fair enough if he doesn't know which school it is.

Good luck with selling. If I were looking to buy I'd research the area and crime figures and if the local area had a low crime rate but the house had CCTV I'd just think the owners were very security conscious. It might make me wonder if there were serious neighbour problems but all that has to be disclosed now anyway.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 01:24

thanks Buster now fingers crossed I sell...in this climate!

OP posts:
BustersOfDoom · 08/09/2011 01:32

Well two houses in my street have sold in the last 6 weeks and they weren't up for sale more than a couple of months so it might not take as long as you think!

ComradeJing · 08/09/2011 01:34

I wouldn't worry about the CCTV and I would definitely leave it up.

Am I right in saying there have been no break ins on the street? If so I would be inclined to say to any potential buyers "the CCTV is just because I'm nervous being on my own as a single mother, we haven't had any burglaries on the street." In fact, I would even mention it without being prompted. I've never sold a house before so I could be talking out my hat though!

Best of luck with the sale and I hope you can get away from this horrible excuse for a man.

Original poster
seriouschanger · 08/09/2011 01:44

Buster before I went away for 2 weeks House next door sold after being up 12 months and when I returned it was back up so fell though...so I have competition with bigger nicer house with no chain...which I wanted to avoid really.

But must put it up now in hope sold by next summer...thank Comrade I have decided to say that being a single mum and nervous....it is very quiet/nice area

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 08/09/2011 01:45

Bigger nicer house.................that costs more.

A smaller more affordable house may well sell quicker.

Keep the faith :)

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