asbo chavs living opposite

listerofsmeg_2

We've found a house we love: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-20500411.html

however, these guys:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4586170.stm

live directly opposite.

Would you buy it? The house is in good condition - no sign of criminal damage, graffiti etc. It's not a particularly nice road but we've lived on the next road before (renting) for a few years, and it's really not a bad place to live.

There are other issues, that we are considering. It's overpriced, however they say they're open to offers for a quick sale, and we will be cash buyers.

It has 30(!) windows, which will probably need replacing. And we'd like to knock down a few walls and renovate a bit, to turn it into a beautiful family home. So there are price issues. But my biggest issue is the chavs who live opposite.

I know for a fact the youngest one is still up to his old tricks. I don't know about the older ones though.

If I were to buy this house, I would also buy a couple of security cameras and place one looking at the front door, and the other looking at the car (in the hard standing).

poppysarah

From my own experience of nasty little evil minded chavs - they grow up into older nasty evil minded chavs. Although there's the chance one may go to prison if you get enough evidence.

Invest in high quality CCTV from the start. You can film whatever you want as long as you're not peeping into bedrooms etc.

domcastro

mmmmmmm I don't think I would. leopards and spots - imagine what the parents are like!

listerofsmeg_2

they don't live with their parents, they're with their nan. Apparently the mother couldn't cope... lol not sure I could either. They also have a small brother who's still too young to cause trouble.

Doozergirl

No I would not even risk it. Apart from your ASBO friends, the mother or the people around her must have had some influence over how her children grew up. ASBOs aren't doled out lightly either, they must have terrorised the neighbourhood. If there are issues, that house will be a living hell regardless of how nice you make it. I'd be afraid to make it nice - it makes you a target anyway.

That house is also seriously compromised by that carbunkle of a dormer. It's not the prettiest of houses to start with either - the windows are designed all out of place, it's lacking in symmetry.

It must be a lost cheaper than comparable sized houses to even consider it. Nightmare for resale.

Money_maker

NO - Do not buy!!

You can get over almost any hurdle but not bad neighbours.
And I speak as someone whose DH had to go to a neighbours house tonight to complain about antisocial behaviour from the children - turns out they are home alone.

Sorry but you may well regret it.

domcastro

Doozergirl wrote: »

That house is also seriously compromised by that carbunkle of a dormer. It's not the prettiest of houses to start with either - the windows are designed all out of place, it's lacking in symmetry.

.

I actually like the house - nice inside, nice views.

In my last house I shared a drive way with my neighbour - though their view of "sharing" was they could have 4 cars and I could have one. This caused me much stress. I decided never to buy a house that shared anything. My neighbours were normal people and not asbos. I really think these kids would deliberatelt target you - they will rob you, spit at you etc etc

I couldn't cope with normal selfish neighbours - think about your stress levels

stolt

another one that has to agree to stay away... ''hmmm from tha report .They are said to have made threats to kill and been responsible for arson and malicious calls.'' nice. I guess they cant be banned from the road they live in so they might sit outside your place everynight, plus the they seem to want to burn places down!!

listerofsmeg_2

I have a toddler, another baby will hopefully be on the way quite soon, and I have my 12 yr old sister living with me in school holidays.

Things like verbal abuse and damage I can deal with. I don't like the idea of arson though, that could kill someone.

The more I read about these boys (I'm googling them!) the more I'm put off the house.

stolt

domcastro wrote: »

I actually like the house - nice inside, nice views.

In my last house I shared a drive way with my neighbour - though their view of "sharing" was they could have 4 cars and I could have one. This caused me much stress. I decided never to buy a house that shared anything. My neighbours were normal people and not asbos. I really think these kids would deliberatelt target you - they will rob you, spit at you etc etc

I couldn't cope with normal selfish neighbours - think about your stress levels

ha ha, i had shared type driveway and the neighbours parked there car right up to the edge of what was the middle of the driveway wich meant there car door opened onto my driveway and i had to park further over onto ou drive to allow our kids to get out the car etc. in the end i had to say something and they said they had to do it this way because they wanted some grass in their garden so they park as far over as they cold, and there parting words were '' dont know what your grumbling about you have a wider front garden than us''. nice. I would never share anything either, trouble is you never know who is going to move in a month, acouple of years down the line.

jo1967

Think long and hard - you know the area and presumably you know what the family is like.

When my OH & I were trying to get out of a flat with neg equity 9 1/2 years ago we found a lovely end of terrace 2 bed, loads of room & a garden for our son, been on the market a while. It turned a colleague at work had also looked at the property as an investment for a client. Ran into the neighbours and ruled it out immediately. However we went ahead - it was in the area, size & price we wanted.

Within 2 days the woman next door "had a word" about my son who apparantly had said he shouldnt talk to them (well they were strangers to him he was only 5 at the time!) I didnt mention their 4 year old running riot in the street & giving us the finger!! Within two months her brother stabbed & killed her partner around the corner at the junkies flat!

We lived there for 3 years & I hated it, never felt right. We had a polite relationship with the neighbours & kept ourselves to ourselves, not getting involved in their dramas & disputes (including domestic violence) they seemed to like us so it was "ok". My OH used to tell the little boy next door off when he did something wrong but the kid seemed to respect him! We knew no one else in the street & I felt uneasy & anxious. They moved out a year before we sold but the damage was done. The new neighbours wouldnt even return our smiles (they were foreign, dont know if that made a difference to them but I didnt care!) but kept themselves to themselves.

But to be honest I was not happy at all, we managed to sell (making a lovely £45k profit - ah the good old days!) and got a lovely house - same area but other end. Been here 6 years & have been so much happier. Nice neighbours, we know people in the street, its cheery & friendly. Once we moved I kind of crumbled & ended up on anti depressants.

Do you want to live with a need for cameras, wondering what you will come home to?

Personally I wish I had never bought our house & stayed in the flat a while longer but then would I have my lovely house now? Who knows!

That is my experience & my opinion only, just make sure you think good & hard & be happy with your choice.

Good luck & let us know what you decide.