scared in our new home

omnasia

Hello everyone. I have really hesitated about posting this because I do realise it might sound very strange.

The background is we saved hard and also overpaid the mortgage so that we would be in a position to buy our dream home. It was difficult, we are not well off but we found the perfect place for us. It has some land and outbuildings which we intend to convert in time. The house is nearly 200 years old.

We were so excited when we finally exchanged and when we got the keys we could hardly believe we had done it at last. Then we moved in.

It's been a few weeks now and at first we just thought that the 'atmosphere' was because it was an old building with lots of history. It also needed some cosmetic work in the bit we are living in. The other bit will need a bit more work but nothing too major. So, we decorated, put our own furniture and bits and pieces in. It looks very warm and homely.

But....(this is the strange bit). It has a weird sort of feeling, like we are not alone. I do realise that is bizarre. Believe me, I am not in any way into that sort of stuff. The first night we were woken up by loud but muffled bangs. Like heavy sacks being dropped. There were creaks and bumps that we put down to old wood contracting and expanding etc but it has really frightened us the past week as it seems to be getting worse. Last night one of the (empty) bedroom doors slammed shut at 4.11am...I looked at the clock. My OH got up and shut it even though we were sure it was shut. Then at 5.22am it slammed again.

I just don't feel comfortable any more and not sure what we can do. We can't afford to leave. We have had a gas engineer in to check the pipes etc but they are fine. There is nothing we can find to explain the noises. It is not like air in the pipes, more like things being moved.

Any ideas ? We were so looking forward to being here but our dream house is scaring us. It looks really silly now I've put it in writing but I am starting to worry about what might happen next.

Tiglath

Being me, I'd immediately start digging into the history of the place to find out its past. If it's really bothering you, contact someone from a local church and ask them to do a blessing.

Metranil_Vavin

OP don't worry, it doesn't sound silly. I'd be feeling the same in the circumstances.

Did the house have a strange feeling when you originally viewed it? I'm a great believer in places either feeling 'right' or not as soon as you step inside them.

Not much advice to offer I'm afraid. Maybe as the previous poster has suggested have a look into the history of the place.

Who owned it previously?

go_cat

If there are ghosts or poltergeists or spiritual bodies there you need to call on specialists to " release " them .

Good luck, don't let it put you off your home, try to se it as part of its character.

poet123

I feel for you. When I was a child we moved into the flat above the shop my parents had just bought, and that also had an atmosphere, and odd noises we couldn't explain. The whole family heard them and it was very unnerving. My parents sold the shop after a year (not because of those issues) but we were all very glad to be out of there. I think I would do as the above poster suggested if I had long term plans to stay there.

jackyann

I think you really need to work out what is bothering you; talk it over together, and then maybe with someone you trust to be sensible.

Tiglath has said what they would do; you may wish to think about how much history you want to know before digging - most old buildings have their shares of ups & downs!
I do know that churches do "blessings" on buildings: you may want to think about what your own faith position is before you talk it over with anyone.
What I wouldn't do is talk about it freely - lots of people enjoy sharing their own stories of odd "happenings" which is fine when it's for a laugh. But as you are already quite upset, you need to talk to people who offer support, and maybe solutions that work for you; not just to people who'll treat it as another amusing story.
A lot of old houses make odd creaks and moans, and even draughts can swing doors about; I am sure that is what it is, and you will probably find as time goes by that you get used to them, and even welcome them! But for now you need to do whatever makes you comfortable.
Good luck.

Welshwoofs

omnasia wrote: »

Last night one of the (empty) bedroom doors slammed shut at 4.11am...I looked at the clock. My OH got up and shut it even though we were sure it was shut. Then at 5.22am it slammed again.

If the door had slammed shut, why would your OH need to shut it when he got up? That suggests that it was actually open when he found it.

I've lived in some very old houses - one that dated from the 1600s, had a priest hole in it and was supposed to be haunted. You do get lots of noises in very old places - if the house is no longer level for instance, the smallest of drafts (and there tend to be a lot in old houses) can make a door bang open or closed if it's heavy wood and no longer hung on a level. You'll probably get a rodent somewhere too - or bats - and they can all come with their various noises.

'Atmospheres' in houses are generally rooms that have small temperature differences to other rooms or are more drafty.

The problem is that once you start worrying, you're then hyper-sensitive to 'odd' noises etc and that feeds into and fuels your worry.

With the banging door - I'd say simply get a door-stop.

poorlittlefish

Maybe there is a draught getting in somewhere that is responsible for the door slamming. My house is only 12 years old and it's always making odd noises - noises which I don't notice during the day but I hear them at night! Furthermore, late one evening I heard an almighty crash coming from the kitchen. As soon as I switched the light on, I saw the door at the other end of the room swing and the clock from the wall had someone flown off and was in the middle of the room. I was seriously freaked out!!! Normally there is a logical explanation for everything and you will only resort to looking up the possibility of ghosts and getting exorcisms etc if you are the type of person who believes in all that kind of stuff.

omnasia

Thank you so much for your replies. The reason I came on here was because I don't want to tell anyone in RL. We have a photo of a family who lived here. I think it would be Victorian by the look of the clothes. They look very serious but I guess that's how they were on photos then, but seem a nice family ie.not scary.
I just think there must be a logical explanation but in the middle of the night you dont always think logically. Maybe we will get used to it but I just don't feel 'right' at the moment, hard to explain.
The door was shut when we went to bed but then slammed but must have not shut and bounced open again I think. Will try to make it so it will stay shut, a door stop would be a good idea.

My OH wants to have a word with the local vicar whereas I am a bit more sceptical so not sure about that yet. If anyone has any similar experiences and how you overcame things that would be good. Thanks again, I feel better for getting it off my chest after a few weeks of bottling it up.

Goldiegirl

Quite a lot of 'para-normal' activity does have a perfectly normal explanation, the trouble is it's sometimes difficult to get to the bottom of what is going on.

Also, it's difficult to be clear headed when you are getting spooked.

I know it's easy to say, but maybe the best way forward is to investigate as calmly as you can - for example, are there any draughts that could cause the door to slam, or are there any birds or little animals that could be causing knocks and bumps.

Maybe that will shed light on what is happening.

Once you've eliminated 'natural' reasons for the occurances, then perhaps that would be the time to think of the supernatural, and call in the church. I think they have a deliverance officer these days. Of course, you would have to think about your views on religion to take this step.

Good luck, I hope you work out what is happening

Errata

There are many physical causes for an old house going bump in the night (and during the day too) and doors swinging open (and sometimes closing). You can always call on your local vicar to conduct an excorsism ceremony to set the house at peace with itself.
I have a small cupboard door that regularly opens itself, nothing odd going on, it's simply a damn nuisance.