Neighbour's eyesore garden

Iris_Blue

You say he's lived there for just over a year and the garden has been lke that for months..maybe he'll sort it out this summer anyway, maybe he ran out of time to do it in dry weather.

We moved in our house in July and ran out of time ourselves so our back garden has rubble in it from building work we did ourselves. We fully intend to complete it and clear it in the next few months though. I'd be upset if my neighbour knocked on to complain and I would think he was being petty. No offence to you, I'm sure it's an eyesore for you and I can see where you're coming from. Just thought I'd mention my side of it. Give him time.

The viewers must be interested in your home to view internal, lots of people drive up and down the street before viewing. Either they are put off or they aren't. I would worry too much about it. 12 viewings in 3 months isn't bad at all.

DuckEggGingham

marliepanda wrote: »

What exactly could the council do?

A house in my village had a very elderly and infirm owner, and the front garden literally was as high as the house, ram packed with hedge, overgrown, you couldnt see the front of the house at all (and I can only assume the back was the same) It was literally a huge square mess kept in check by the neighbours each side.

it was only after he died that anything was done to sort it out, and it sounds much much worse than what you describe.

Sorry O/T

But...that is such a shame. Did no one offer to help him?

Ivana_Tinkle

puddy wrote: »

cant you just tell viewers that everyone in the street is very houseproud and as an example say look how our neighbour is landscaping his garden, its going to be great when its finished

I think this is brilliant advice. If you're present for viewings, just mention in passing, with a big smile, how lovely it'll look once it's done.

marliepanda

DuckEggGingham wrote: »

Sorry O/T

But...that is such a shame. Did no one offer to help him?

He wouldn't let anybody i think he was a bit of a hoarder also though I never saw inside his home, but knew his grandaughter. He wouldnt let anyone do anything.

I believe the council did offer to help also but they could not 'force' him to clear it up. but yes it was really sad

Nannychook

My boyfriend is having the same problem. His house went on the market last Thursday, he has had 4 viewings and they have all said it is a lovely house but the state of the neighbours front garden has put them off. He doesn't talk to his neighbours (some argument with them about the divan beds forcing his fence down!), but I have not had a problem with them. I am going to try and talk to them this weekend and offer to take their divan beds, sofa and 3 Christmas trees to the tip. It's the only thing I can think off apart from dropping the price which he is not prepared to do after less than a week on the market.:(

Imp

cattie wrote: »

Well, it beggars belief that a council can have 'special' homes away from the hustle and bustle of the city built to house it's very well paid executives :eek:

This is more evidence of underhand dealings, one rule for the masses needing a home with a heavily subsidised rent and another for the more elite who could buy their own or rent on the open market and who otherwise wouldn't have been selected to occupy a council house at a bargain rental..:mad:

Off topic, but there was a time when company houses were fairly normal. Factory owners built houses for their workers surrounding the factories. The company I work for still has several score houses which are rented to employees at favorable rates. In the same fashion, my grandfather worked for the council, and one of the advantages of that was that you could get a council house. This was in the days when council houses were to be aspired to, and you had to have a job and convince the council you could pay the rent before you were allowed to rent one.

Ivana_Tinkle

Nannychook wrote: »

My boyfriend is having the same problem. His house went on the market last Thursday, he has had 4 viewings and they have all said it is a lovely house but the state of the neighbours front garden has put them off. He doesn't talk to his neighbours (some argument with them about the divan beds forcing his fence down!), but I have not had a problem with them. I am going to try and talk to them this weekend and offer to take their divan beds, sofa and 3 Christmas trees to the tip. It's the only thing I can think off apart from dropping the price which he is not prepared to do after less than a week on the market.:(

Years ago, when we were about to put our flat on the market, I phoned up the council, pretended to be my neighbour, and arranged for the bulk refuse people to take away the sofa in her front garden. The day after it was removed, I heard her outside on the phone, expressing her delight that someone had "stolen" it and got rid of it for her! I think she thought fairies had come and whisked it away...

marliepanda

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

Years ago, when we were about to put our flat on the market, I phoned up the council, pretended to be my neighbour, and arranged for the bulk refuse people to take away the sofa in her front garden. The day after it was removed, I heard her outside on the phone, expressing her delight that someone had "stolen" it and got rid of it for her! I think she thought fairies had come and whisked it away...

In my hometown there are estates where thats exactly how you get rid of crap you don;t want. Put it on your front lawn and someones bound to steal it!

Glad I've moved :P

plane_boy2000

hjd wrote: »

He's not elderly or disabled. He's not very receptive to suggestions, although he is scared stiff of his wife, so maybe could try talking to her.
We had a rat problem originating in his garden but he had many bonfires and boasted he had burnt all the rats' nests.

Have just checked the land registry and without paying it says this:
Sorry, there is no price paid/value stated information available for this property

Does that mean it's not worth paying for information?

If he claims to have bought it 12 months ago the sale price will be on rightmove. If there is no sale price then its likely that its still council owned

[Deleted User]

hjd wrote: »

We have had 12 viewings of the house so far over 3 months and 4 have specifically said like our house, don't like the state of the neighbour's house.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

If you have an okay relationship with him, I'd go to him and tell him about the feedback you're getting from viewings re his front garden. (Presumably, you have a For Sale sign up so he's aware that you're trying to sell ?) Be as calm as you can, and do it in a friendly way. Ask if he would be open to you lending a hand in sorting it out - even temporarily (this may involve you supplying your own labour and/or that of others).

It seems to me a reasonable first step?

(PS I think I'd exaggerate, i.e. fib about how many have mentioned the front garden, like "most of them" )