Buying a flat but just been told by friend one of flats in Block is an 'adult' studio

FTBuyeruk

Hi,
Im a long time poster here but due to the nature of this post I've created an account in a different name as friends/family know my normal one.

I'm currently renting from family but have been asked to look for somewhere else several months ago. My finances are such that I can afford a very cheap flat without a mortgage so I found a place and offer accepted a couple of months ago.

My solicitor has had numerous issues surrounding management company and the fact that the title/register at the land registry shows an allocated parking plan that is nothing like what is actually on the ground. When this was pointed out to the seller they insisted the plan was correct. Ive supplied photos proving its not but as yet no response.

So far Im currently invested to the tune of 1k in surveys/fees and there really isnt much else in my price range on the market.

Last night my friend took me to one side and mentioned he'd been googling the development and one of the flats was the registered address of a company and when he checked the company's website it was clearly adult content. He showed me the site on his phone and some of the videos are clearly taken in the flat (Flats share same kitchen/bathroom designs).


Now Im far from being a prude but my solicitor has already pointed out that my lease has a 'no immoral use' clause which they must have the same in their lease and surely be in breach off but Im also worried if this could devalue the flat Im currently purchasing although thankfully have not yet exchanged on.

Im a single middle aged male should I just proceed and live and let live/ reduce my offer or just be thankful I found out now and take the 1k loss as a lucky escape ?

My head is still buzzing currently.


Thanks for any serious thoughts

fishpond

Ask for a job ?

Bit more info needed
How far away?
Will you be kept awake?
People coming and going(genuine mistake)
etc
Very strange about parking, instruct your sol to find out--thats what he is being paid for.

G_M

What impact will this have on you?

And once you own your lease, you could always complain to the freeholder about the other leaseholder's breach.

FTBuyeruk

fishpond wrote: »

Ask for a job ?

Bit more info needed
How far away? the studio is on the floor above neighbouring flat
Will you be kept awake? From videos seems like they are done during day
People coming and going(genuine mistake)
etc undesirables hanging around would be a concern
Very strange about parking, instruct your sol to find out--thats what he is being paid for. He is but like I said no response from seller yet

G_M wrote: »

What impact will this have on you? Im not sure and thats partly the reason for asking for peoples thoughts here - fishpond has pointed out could be some undesirables hanging around

And once you own your lease, you could always complain to the freeholder about the other leaseholder's breach. You'ld agree then that it would be a breach ?

replies in red above

jjlandlord

FTBuyeruk wrote: »

He showed me the site on his phone and some of the videos are clearly taken in the flat (Flats share same kitchen/bathroom designs).

He was thorough in his research, I see.

FTBuyeruk wrote: »

Now Im far from being a prude but my solicitor has already pointed out that my lease has a 'no immoral use' clause which they must have the same in their lease and surely be in breach off.

How is this 'immoral'?
IMHO these clauses are left over of a time when someone was 'immoral' by not going to church on Sunday.
The same people would argue that a gay couple could not live there based on that clause.

My point being that I am not sure what weight such clause carries.

G_M

How big is the block? How many floors, how many flats?

Where is the 'adult' flat in relation to yours?

What is the access/security like?

I_have_spoken

I'd walk away. Pr0n has a lot of drugs money linked to it, so there every reason the flat will be used for dealing and/or 'in calls' by prostitutes now that the legislation on UK filming has been tightened so they're lame. Allegedly.

P.S. Are you buying the flat from Ben Dover?

FTBuyeruk

jjlandlord wrote: »

He was thorough in his research, I see.



How is this 'immoral'?
IMHO these clauses are left over of a time when someone was 'immoral' by not going to church on Sunday. The lease is less than 5 years old but you have a point 'immoral' means different things to different people I would have though most would consider adult filming as being immoral but perhaps not
The same people would argue that a gay couple could not live there based on that clause.

My point being that I am not sure what weight such clause carries.

G_M wrote: »

How big is the block? Less than 20 flats How many floors, Varies bewteen 2 and 3 stories how many flats?

Where is the 'adult' flat in relation to yours? it is above the neighbouring flat

What is the access/security like? the adult flat has a communal entrance the one Im thinking of buying has its own dedicated entrance

Answers in red above

G_M

What is the access/security like?

Can the undesirables gain easy access to communal areas? Are the hallways littered with needles? Dark/gloomy? Have you seen undesirables hanging around?

What have the other flat owners said to you when you asked? You aren't buying a flat without having spoken to other residents are you.....? :eek:

As to the lease issue, I agree the definition of 'immoral' is likely to be ambiguous, and to change over time. Is there a 'no business' clause in the lease? Likely to be more clear-cut!

Pixie5740

I suppose it wouldn't be that different to anyone else running a business from one of the flats. My ex-landlady used to do alternative therapies (I've never met such a good snake oil salesperson) from the flat I rented. The neighbours didn't like all the strangers hanging around outside, in the garden and in the communal areas. One even asked when she was going to install a red light.

The parking uncertainty and the fact that it's a studio are what would be the real deal breakers for me. Any chance you could get a mortgage and buy a 1 bedroom flat. I know you've already spent £1,000 but there's no point throwing good money after bad.

AdrianC

Seriously, if you're that worried about the neighbours and what they're up to, I don't think living in a flat is going to be for you...

If you can afford to buy this flat without a mortgage, might you be better off looking at a mortgage as a top-up to the purchase price, and buying somewhere more salubrious? The fact you've invested in the paperwork so far is nobody's problem but your own.

If you think that the filming is being done in the day, have you considered going round to the block in the day and seeing what's actually going on? Whether it IS a problem? If you're going to be working in the day, so can't get round there, then would you even know about the filming if it wasn't for the wonders of Google?