Can I claim against council for loss of value to my property?

ztkr

My local council have given permission for the development of high density student accomodation* close to my house.The road is a quiet back road - not perfect, but mostly given over to normal residential housing.

I am certain that the value of my house will be diminished as a consequence. I'm considering legal action against the council for the lost value. Before I spend any money on a solicitor, I'd like to ask if any of you are aware of anybody that has done this before, and if you're aware of any legal provision for this? I'd be very grateful for any responses, so please reply if you have anything that you think may be helpful. Thank you.

*rooms for about 40 students in a 3 storey block. To give an indication of the density, the council bizarrely refused 4 compact houses squashed onto the site, but allowed this.

somethingcorporate

I very much doubt it. You'll be hard pressed to quantify the impact (if there is any).

Unfortunately almost every house is at risk of councils giving permission for construction nearby that may impact value, that's part of being a homeowner I am afriad.

Logistics aside, morally, I'd rather the council spent the money on services, policing and hospitals than on compensating owners for some 'perceived' loss of value due to them increasing the housing stock in this country with presently too little housing (or too many people).

Rex_Mundi

WOW........

This is NIMBY taken to the extreme!!!

If this goes ahead, I hope you lose. Council spending (our money) is being reduced left, right and centre. Any court case would need the council spending many tens of thousands defending, even if they win. Money that would better be spent elsewhere rather than frivolous, selfish court cases.

peachyprice

How can you claim for something that hasn't happened, or might not even happen?

You really think your council are going to give you some cash 'just in case', get real.

ztkr

Rex_Mundi wrote: »

WOW........

This is NIMBY taken to the extreme!!!

If this goes ahead, I hope you lose. Council spending (our money) is being reduced left, right and centre. Any court case would need the council spending many tens of thousands defending, even if they win. Money that would better be spent elsewhere rather than frivolous, selfish court cases.

Thanks for your incredibly unhelpful response. If you don't have anything consturctive to add, then maybe it would be better if you didn't comment.

ztkr

somethingcorporate wrote: »

I very much doubt it. You'll be hard pressed to quantify the impact (if there is any).

Unfortunately almost every house is at risk of councils giving permission for construction nearby that may impact value, that's part of being a homeowner I am afriad.

Logistics aside, morally, I'd rather the council spent the money on services, policing and hospitals than on compensating owners for some 'perceived' loss of value due to them increasing the housing stock in this country with presently too little housing (or too many people).

I don't want to cost the council money either. But the fact remains that my property is worth less than an equivalent house that isn't next to student flats. If I want to move to get away, then I will have to make up the difference myself.

There have been a couple of negative comments so far, but maybe people should consider how they would feel if they suddenly found 40 students crammed into next to their house. Oh, and one more thing: there is no outside space at the plot, so if the students want to go outside, they will be in the street

pimento

What's wrong with students?

shaun_from_Africa

Before I spend any money on a solicitor

You may well be better off speaking to the rest of your neighbours first and seeing if you can make a joint application to see a solicitor, thus spreading the cost.

What's wrong with students?

As with all parts of society, many students are quiet and wouldn't cause any problems.
However, after having lived in a rented house which was next door to an 8 room student bedsit, I can attest that not all of them are quiet and considerate.
I had to make endless trips to the house asking them to turn their music down at 1am or 2am in the morning as it was vibrating the walls of the place I was living, and I had to call the police on 2 occasions as the partying was gatting out of hand.
With the OP talking about a 40 room block, I wouldn't be surprised if they have some problems with noise.

Oliver14

philc27 wrote: »

My local council have given permission for the development of high density student accomodation* close to my house.The road is a quiet back road - not perfect, but mostly given over to normal residential housing.

I am certain that the value of my house will be diminished as a consequence. I'm considering legal action against the council for the lost value. Before I spend any money on a solicitor, I'd like to ask if any of you are aware of anybody that has done this before, and if you're aware of any legal provision for this? I'd be very grateful for any responses, so please reply if you have anything that you think may be helpful. Thank you.

*rooms for about 40 students in a 3 storey block. To give an indication of the density, the council bizarrely refused 4 compact houses squashed onto the site, but allowed this.

Don't be silly.

shakeitright

You cannot use lost valuation as a reason to object to a planning application,so I wouldnt have thought you could sue a council for it.

somethingcorporate

Spin the concept on it's head. If the council built a little park next to your street and it added value on to your house, would you be happy for your council tax to increase to cover the increased value they have added to your property?