Prison

poppysarah

You'd want to make sure though that you weren't walking into a really horrible problem situation.

Yes not everyone with mental health issues is a nightmare, nor is everyone who's been to prison.... BUT they could be. You should check out the neighbours anyway.

thistledome

Definitely Google the address, and the name of the neighbour if you know it. Why would the Postman say watch out for no.16 for no reason?

I used to have horrendous neighbours and am very wary now. They can turn you into a nervous wreck in your own home. It's not a nice feeling to dread coming home from work every night.

poppysarah

See neighbours the other side of the street... Someone with no house to sell.

nickswift

Morgan_Ree wrote: »

It's nobodys business why the son went to prison

The fact he's got 'mental problems' is also irrelevant
The only reason I can think the OP felt the need to include that was because they've already got a picture built up in their head of this mad wide-eyed nutter
He simple MUST have gone to prison for a violent offence.....

Ever thought of giving him (if you ever meet him) the benefit of the doubt?
Or perhaps you just need to find a nice cave to live in, that way you'll never come into contact with anyone let alone anyone with a dodgy past

I didnt feel the need to mention the 'mental issues' thing, that was a quote from the mother, she felt the need to tell me. I have no idea what he went to prison for, I have not even thought about the possibilities.

I work from home, so I dont want to be disturbed during the day (or night really) so who I live nextdoor to is more important to me than most people.

Have Googled the postcode and I found a post on a forum about some women wanting to get her locks changed as her ex had got hold of the keys - nothing on number 16 though.

mlz1413

OP I can understand you don't want to buy a house next door to a problem neighbour and regardless of why the son went to prision the fact his mother doesn't sound like she wants him living back with her would be enough for me. Also the fact the seller is not entering into a conversion about that specific neighbour would raise my suspicion.

But when you spoke to No 16 she said they were moving. If the son does not own the house (which sounds unlikely) then once he has visited and found out they aren't there why would he come back? Surely this is best time to buy this house?

But ask the questions as other have suggested and satisfy yourself that this is the right move, if your not satisfied then don't buy.

roses

What if the vendor has never met the guy in prison? Then they can honestly answer there has never been an issue.

What if there is an issue when the son moves back in? How do you prove that there was an issue when your vendor was living in the house and hence they were obliged to warn you? There may never have been an issue while they were living there.

Milliewilly

roses wrote: »

What if the vendor has never met the guy in prison? Then they can honestly answer there has never been an issue.

What if there is an issue when the son moves back in? How do you prove that there was an issue when your vendor was living in the house and hence they were obliged to warn you? There may never have been an issue while they were living there.

Exactly, the vendor may not be bothered that the neighbours son is in prison (they may not even know depending on how long they have been at the property, if it was a low profile case, if they don't get involved in gossip).


If it doesn't feel right don't buy.

What is an issue to you may not be an issue to someone else. I for example look for trampolines on google earth as I personally don't want neighbours kids noise screeching and bouncing up and down over my fence as I work from home. Other people would think the sound of children playing is a delight.

not_loaded

Milliewilly wrote: »

…I for example look for trampolines on google earth as I personally don't want neighbours kids noise screeching and bouncing up and down over my fence as I work from home. Other people would think the sound of children playing is a delight.

The weakness there is that couples have kids, small kids get bigger, then mum and dad may buy a trampoline. I’m not sure there’s a way to google that.

We had some neighbours with a son in prison. Never the slightest problem. They moved away many years ago. hth

freesha

Could you try knocking on the door of the neighbours the other side? (Number 18?) Could give you a neighbour's perpective without the pressure of selling a house.

elfen

You don't know yet that the son could be a problem.. Yes, the house is a bit of a mess, but so is my mum and dad's sometimes (mainly clutter as they're both hoarders, and a giant sewing machine) but it doesn't mean they're bad people, I'm biased, but they're lovely (an ex had a problem with them, but he's an ex for a reason) Not all people with MH problems are bad, I have them, I don't go on a rampage.