Do we have to tell buyers about nightmare neighbour?

yoyoegg

I understand the going rate for putting out a contract on someone is £1000ish.

Ms_Chocaholic

That he should be in sheltered housing - so he causes a problem for all the elderly residents that live there :eek:

giddypenguin wrote: »

Next door to our old house was converted into 3 flats. In the top flat was a 'disturbed' man - who had a number of 'issues' he would often be drunk and abusive and had set fire to his flat at least once - which caused £1000s of flooding damage to the two lower flats due to the water used by the fire brigade. This was the last straw for the gentleman who owned the middle flat who then fixed the damage and moved out - selling at a discount to a lovely young couple, who, unfortunately didn't question as to why this flat was so cheap.

We got to know them very well (due to the constant fire evacuations they had to do - we used to offer them a drink) and told them that the whole street pretty much knew this guy was not entirely right.

From them, we learnt the lesson to ALWAYS knock on a few doors and chat to the neighbours when buying - chances are you'll find someone who's up for a gossip.

The couple, in the end, kept a diary of all the events that happened, and managed to make a case via the council that he should be in sheltered accommodation as he was a danger to himself and others. I did feel terrible for them though - and, after seeing what they went through, I'm not sure I could inflict that same situation onto someone else and sleep easy - but everyone is different I suppose.

Ms_Chocaholic

Is there another room in the flat where you can sleep, ie re-arrange your living arrangements so you don't hear the banging.

EmmaHerts

May I suggest that each and every time he bangs that you bang too?

moneyistooshorttomention

Is it possible to carry right on with your Life Plan and sell the place - but try to find a buyer that is/includes a big burly man of the "Don't try it or he'll be down there seeing this guy" variety?

If you weren't planning on moving anyway - then that's one thing. But, with him going to interfere with a Life Plan that had "move at this point" on the agenda it does seem harsh to have the Nutter muck up the plan and alter the course of your life.

Other possible buyer - someone who is pretty deaf and wouldnt hear the banging anyway, but WOULD have their tv up pretty loud to deal with their deafness.

There's got to be some sort of lateral thinking way to deal with this situation....

Are there other neighbours who would be affected if you were to sell the flat onto a housing association to house their "undesirables" in? If there are - then its a no go (as you cant inflict "undesirables" onto normal neighbours). But, if there aren't - then would a housing association like to buy your flat as a halfway house for drug addicts?. I've known of this happening and Mr Nutter would have bitten off a lot more than he can chew if he ends up with a halfway house type flat near him...:rotfl:and they'll probably be too "out of it" to even notice the banging.

vet8

EmmaHerts wrote: »

May I suggest that each and every time he bangs that you bang too?

We have tried that and it made him bang more and also reduced us to the same pathetic state as him.

Miss_Poohs

My friend as maniac neighbours - who for some strange reason appear to have both the police and council in her pocket, very odd. I think and I may well be wrong but in Scotland it's buyer beware.

Having seen the state she and her family have been left in if she could sell up I'd recommend she grabs the offer with both hands and runs like the wind!!

Horrible to sell knowing there's an idiot up stairs - on the other hand you've worked hard,saved, planned your retirement and its all ground to a halt through no fault of your own.

Put it on the market see what happens....

lessonlearned

I hate to state the obvious but you are in a no-win situation here, which seems unresolvable. You cannot sell and yet your neighbour is making your lives a misery.

However, can I throw you a lifeline.

Have you looked at soundproofing your flat.

I once had a similar situation. I lived in a very old cottage with single brick walls, no cavities of any kind. During the day it was ok, nights were the worst, with my bedroom being the main problem area.

One set of neighbours were considerate but I could hear them occasionally. On that wall I had a full length fitted wardrobe installed, when full of clothes, linen etc it was sufficient to deaden any sound.

The other wall was more problematic. My neighbours would get drunk, have loud blazing rows followed by loud make up sex :eek:

I just paid to have the wall soundproofed......worth every penny.

This was over 40 years ago so not much point me giving you details of costings or materials used.

If it happened to me again I would definitely opt for soundproofing.

Cheaper than moving.........and anyway why should you be forced to move from your own home just because of noise.

outofmoney

Not a great situation to be in.

A relative of mine recently sold their flat. Some neighbours moved in who banged doors, constantly argued, parked where they liked etc and my relative was finding it was all too much to cope with.

The neighbour had received warning letters from the management (which came about after relative had complained) but this hadn't had any effect.

Luckily, no where on the form did it ask any questions they felt they needed to answer yes to. When viewings took place the neighbours were out or drunk and asleep! The buyer may have called at other times to suss out the area properly. He may or may not have done this and so may or may not have spotted/heard the neighbours.

Buyers are responsible for doing some work too and not just relying on what the seller does, or doesn't tell them.

Anyway, the buyer, was the type who probably wouldn't put up with the nonsense. They also played a musical instrument so could be just as annoying. They may also have had a much more tolerant personality that my relative.

Personally I would sell. You cannot assume that anyone moving in will have the same problems, or would feel intimidated like yourself. It's a risk everyone takes with buying.

19lottie82

vet8 wrote: »

I did think of that, but I thought that would really be wasting the police's time (which I think is a criminal offence as well). I know he is not injured, just a pratt, but it is a tempting idea!

Surely it's a better idea than letting yourselves slowly getting drive insane?

Seriously I think it's a great idea and has the potential to nip all of this in the bud, I really don't understand why you haven't tried it yet?