Death of Prev Owner - Opinions

littledisey

If you were buying a house and you discovered the previous owner had died by suicide - would that affect your decision to buy it

Also, would you feel it is something your solicitor or conveyancer should have told you about (assuming they were aware of the fact)

It is not a legal point, and if the title had already been changed into the other co-owners name there would be no reason for them to know - but if the sols did know, do you think they should tell you anyway.

Any opinions ?

hazyjo

Toughy about the emotional side... I don't think it would affect my decision to buy it. We all die, some of us in our homes. The fact the person chose to die might make me feel more uncomfortable about it, but you'll never know the full history of any house you buy unless you buy new. I suppose you just have to make a deal with yourself to make it a happy home this time round.

No, I don't think your a solicitor, agent or whoever should have mentioned. Maybe if someone had been murdered there, but, no, not suicide (or death generally).

Jx

pararct

Wouldn't affect my decision in the slightest, I would still buy if the property and price were right for me.

As to the solicitor I doubt very much he/she is under any obligation to say anything.

Whilst you hint at a compelling reason to do so there are as many not to. Most people I think would rather live on in ignorance.

DKLS

A friend of mine picked up a bargain house that the previous owner hung himself in, it didnt bother her she bought the perfect house for her in the right area and had zero competition for the house, as it locally it was a well known and tragic story.

I know you can sometimes get a weird feeling in houses, but that one has a lovely feel.

littledisey

Thanks, its interesting to see that it doesn't seem to be an issue

It wouldn't be for me, if I liked the house and it was a good deal then that would be that.

I am just not so sure about my client, she is an older single lady.

I am in a dilema about whether to let her know or just leave it.

There is no need legally to tell her, but it just occurs to me that if I say nothing you can bet your life some well meaning neighbour will be making sure she knows within 5 minutes of them moving in. Then what if it is a problem and she gets peed off that we didnt say anything.

Maybe I could mention it "in passing" in a conversation and see if she already knows the history.

hazyjo

Do you know if they 'used' the house in any way? I mean, did they hang themselves from some fixture or fitting, or did they 'harm' the house in any way, like if there was any blood?

Maybe it's just me that sees some sort of difference. If someone took pills and died on their sofa, I don't think it would make me feel as uncomfortable as it would knowing they'd bled to death on the carpet.

Oh dear, that sounds really horrible... hope you know what I mean!

Jx

ALIBOBSY

A mate of OH's got a house really cheap as the previous owner murdered his girlfriend in the upstairs bedroom. Horrid thought and it put loads off buying (it had been repossed when he went to prison). So they got a huge bargain (at the time probably 40 or 50% off what it should have cost), but very gruesome.

He used to freak people out by telling them about the blood splatters he found behind the radiator when he moved it to decorate (nothing there really as cleaned up by professionals after the crime), but he is a bit ghoulish lol.

Personally I would want to know and would go on the feeling and atmosphere in the property, but I used to be a member of a paranormal investigations group so a bit more wary of possible supernatural problems lol.
ali x

littledisey

hazyjo wrote: »

Do you know if they 'used' the house in any way? I mean, did they hang themselves from some fixture or fitting, or did they 'harm' the house in any way, like if there was any blood?

Maybe it's just me that sees some sort of difference. If someone took pills and died on their sofa, I don't think it would make me feel as uncomfortable as it would knowing they'd bled to death on the carpet.

Oh dear, that sounds really horrible... hope you know what I mean!

Jx

The info I have suggests he hung himself - not sure where within the house tho.

LilacPixie

TBH it wouldn't bother me. People die, suicides are tragic events and I have lots of sympathy for the surviving loved ones but I see no difference in a probate sale, someone who has returned home to die from a terminal illness or suicide.

hazyjo

Tricky one then... if you feel she'd pull out if she knew or if it'd upset her, I guess it's up to you. I think I'd have to tell her, but am sure a lot wouldn't. Am presuming you're the solicitor?

Jx

poppysarah

Depends how you feel about it yourself.

If you don't know before then eventually someone will mention it... especially something brutal and gory.

There's probably been a death in most houses of a decent age.... and how many roads have had a murder on? (Ours has!)


A house near me seems a bit jinxed though for relationships - one couple moved in and she left him... then the next lot moved in and he got thrown out...

The chinese are big worriers about this sort of thing... but you could do some space cleansing rituals if you felt the need.