Seriously SCARY situation

Clutterfree

00ec25 wrote: »

further to the articles, can i recommend that you sign yourselves up with the Government's Land Registry property alert service as that was introduced partly in response to such issues.

The alert is simply them sending you an e mail when or if someone tries to register a change to the title. In other word if someone tries to take over ownership of your property! It will cost you nothing to do, and will obviously pay you dividends in the future if you can then prevent such a change.

https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk

I agree, especially if you don't have a mortgage.
I've signed up our address and both my mum and dad's addresses.

It does work - my step dad died recently so the Land Registry were informed to change the title deeds. I received an email from them stating that my mums solicitor has contacted them to change them. No action was required because it was legitimate, but they tell you what to do if it's not.

Gorecki

On the face of it, the whole thing sounds a bit odd. Particularly randomly turning up unannounced after 18 months away, even if he thought his ex still co-owned it...

Good luck on Monday, I wouldn't be surprised if it all goes away after a simple call and you never see him again.
I have read of these sorts of situations when the person involved's even turned out to be a burglar walking into new purchases/building sites and bluffing their way out when caught.

I also wouldn't/didn't change locks immediately on move in, but try and sleep easy now you have :-)

m0bov

I wonder how many times hes been in there

Bossypants

Removed at Money's request.

BlessedNotStressed

I've just been to see my solicitor (who dealt with the conveyancing) - he is equally as surprised and perplexed by all this. He is getting straight on the case by combing through all the paperwork and contacting the vendors solicitor to get to the bottom of it.
I also spoke to an elderly neighbour yesterday - she's lived on the street for 75 years and seems to know all the comings and goings. She said the couple that used to live here had a very tumultuous relationship and were always arguing in the street and storming off. She said she hasn't seen either of them for a long time and assumed the house was empty prior to us moving in.

david1951

BlessedNotStressed wrote: »

I've just been to see my solicitor (who dealt with the conveyancing) - he is equally as surprised and perplexed by all this. He is getting straight on the case by combing through all the paperwork and contacting the vendors solicitor to get to the bottom of it.
I also spoke to an elderly neighbour yesterday - she's lived on the street for 75 years and seems to know all the comings and goings. She said the couple that used to live here had a very tumultuous relationship and were always arguing in the street and storming off. She said she hasn't seen either of them for a long time and assumed the house was empty prior to us moving in.

The vendor's solicitor would (presumably) have insisted on confirming the guy's identity (e.g., by checking his passport), so this does sound pretty strange. If he was overseas than this makes this more difficult.

Muttleythefrog

BlessedNotStressed wrote: »

I've just been to see my solicitor (who dealt with the conveyancing) - he is equally as surprised and perplexed by all this. He is getting straight on the case by combing through all the paperwork and contacting the vendors solicitor to get to the bottom of it.
I also spoke to an elderly neighbour yesterday - she's lived on the street for 75 years and seems to know all the comings and goings. She said the couple that used to live here had a very tumultuous relationship and were always arguing in the street and storming off. She said she hasn't seen either of them for a long time and assumed the house was empty prior to us moving in.

Interesting... there's always one you can rely on for the gossip.. haha... but the story seems to follow general thoughts here so far. I've a feeling the vendor solicitor in going to be having a pint with their lunch today. Hopefully you'll have your mind put at rest soon enough.

Muttleythefrog

david1951 wrote: »

The vendor's solicitor would (presumably) have insisted on confirming the guy's identity (e.g., by checking his passport), so this does sound pretty strange. If he was overseas than this makes this more difficult.

Yeah.. presumably... but if my experience is anything to go by some years ago... attitudes to the requirements were rarely good... I had to be employed substantially to protect the solicitors and conveyancers because they made fundamental errors and oversights when it came to even things like establishing who their client was (I must've asked many a time.. things like 'is the wife actually an owner of the property") let alone whether they could evidence their name and address. If he was overseas though and on the title you'd hope they'd have been especially scrutinising of identity documents and their requirement and certainly been well focussed on any signature comparisons. On related subject... for those who need a bit of light relief... and the Op might... it sounds like it... my recent post here may be worth reading... from paragraph 3.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/72867392#Comment_72867392

maninthestreet

BlessedNotStressed wrote: »

I've just been to see my solicitor (who dealt with the conveyancing) - he is equally as surprised and perplexed by all this. He is getting straight on the case by combing through all the paperwork and contacting the vendors solicitor to get to the bottom of it.
I also spoke to an elderly neighbour yesterday - she's lived on the street for 75 years and seems to know all the comings and goings. She said the couple that used to live here had a very tumultuous relationship and were always arguing in the street and storming off. She said she hasn't seen either of them for a long time and assumed the house was empty prior to us moving in.

Maybe worthwhile asking this neighbour for a description of the male in this couple to see if it fits the man who entered your property claiming to be the owner.

Slinky

katejo wrote: »

I don't think I would give neighbours the code to such an external keysafe if I had one. However they do have a copy of my keys and I have theirs. We have helped each other out a couple of times.

Well it's not only the neighbours that know it. Apparently cleaners come regularly and somebody else to do the garden...... sounds like the world and his dog may know the code.