Would this put buyers off

jackie_w

I live in a Semi detached, and am going to be putting my house up for sale within the next couple of weeks.
My neighbour doesnt live in his house, hes currently working in Dubai. There was talk that he was going to rent the property out, because when his contract finishes, he wanted to stay in the house, then, there was talk that he was going to just sell the property, but, nothing has happened there either.

The house has been emply for almost a year, the garden needs cleaning up, and eventually, the grass will need to be cut (hubbie and I will prob need to do this, so it doesnt put potential buyers off our house). His family were visiting the house to check everything was okay, but, they havent been back to the house since October.

Do I have to tell the estate agents & potential buyers that the house next door is empty, after all, Im only going by hearsay, I dont actually know what he is going to do with the property.

Jackie

Doozergirl

You don't need to tell them anything. If viewers ask, then you can just say that next door works away a lot.

You will probably have to take responsibility for keeping it tidy in the meantime. If it's a mess, it will put people off.

jackie_w

Thanks doozergirl,

I was hoping you would reply, cos ive been looking through loads of posts, and I see that you have loads of good advice (and so do many other people too).

Do you work in the property business?

Jackie

Doozergirl

Thanks

Yes, I buy and sell houses with my husband. I find them, he fixes them, I point and shout a lot and then sell them

robwend

god sake never tell viewers in may go to rental, yourl never see them again lol, us buyers get all sort of ideas then of all night partys and young teens.

PoorDave

When people are viewing your house, if in doubt - say nothing! If they don't ask about something, don't blurt it out!

kr15snw

I would imagine a next door neighbour working away alot would mean more privacy and quietness. Or is that just me?

As long as its tidy and doesnt look a mess (so maybe cut the front garden) then I wouldnt see a problem. Do you have anyway of contacting your neighbour? Maybe you could ask their permission to tidy the garden up a bit if you explain the circumstances.

prudryden

Sound advice from all - I don't think Doozer shouts much - just points and scowls and the job gets done.

Doozergirl

LOL! Am I that scary!?

drowningnotwaving_2

I'm not an expert, but I think you have to be very careful what you do and don't tell potential buyers. You don't have to tell them anything if they don't ask but if they ask a direct question that you know the answer to then you do have a legal obligation to be honest.

Of course, if there were any comeback then it would be a question of your word against theirs and I don't know which side the courts would come down on, but be very careful what you say if a buyer starts grilling you.

ethansmum

I knew the house next to ours was rented out. It didn't put me off buying it though. I guess it depends on the neighbourhood. The way I reasoned it was if the neighbours could afford to rent in this area (Its a dear house), then it was likely that they would not be 'the rough-down-and-out type'. IYSWIM.