Trying to sell house - Council Property next door affecting sale

JCR1987

Hi folks.

Our house is currently on the market and we had an offer to buy out house, which we accepted. However, our buyer has now pulled out because it transpires that the house next door to us has been bought by the local council, with a view to turning it into a children's home?

Nothing has been confirmed yet but they are sold subject to contract.

Our buyer was perfectly happy until they realised what the house next door was possibly going to be (a Facebook thread falsely suggesting it was going to be an ex offenders property hasn't helped).

Does anyone think we may have any recourse to ask the council to compensate us for effectively costing us a sale and the subsequent purchase of our new home - plus the likely problem of being able to sell in the future?

Any thoughts welcome.

Car1980

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s88107/app

It would go to planning and you could make objections, but that's about it I think.

lincroft1710

JCR1987 wrote: »

Does anyone think we may have any recourse to ask the council to compensate us for effectively costing us a sale and the subsequent purchase of our new home - plus the likely problem of being able to sell in the future?

Extremely doubtful.

Would suggest you and neighbours individually oppose any planning application for Change of Use.

JCR1987

Thanks guys. Was worried those may be the only responses I get. Have already looked into it a little, was hoping I may have missed something. I suppose the best I can do is lodge objections, keep the house on the market and hope a landlord or similar buys our property to rent out.

I may send the council a letter to highlight the issues they've caused us, but don't expect any kind of reply or action.

Red-Squirrel_2

JCR1987 wrote: »

I may send the council a letter to highlight the issues they've caused us, but don't expect any kind of reply or action.

They haven't caused any issues, they don't owe you anything. They have children in their care that need to be housed.

Children's homes these days tend to be set up in a way that they try to recreate family homes. They won't be cramming loads of kids in, just a few and they will always have responsible adults with them.

If you do object, you'll need better reasons than just not wanting it there and worries about the value of your house, but if it does get approved you might find that its a lot less bothersome than you think and potential buyers probably would never even realise unless they knocked on and asked.

Davesnave

I worked for a while in a family group home in Bristol. There were 12 children from around 7 to 16 living there and there was always at least one responsible adult on the premises to make sure nothing untoward was going on, either indoors or in the gardens.

To be blunt, the neighourhood youngsters on the estate were worse behaved; some possibly absorbing their 'attitude' towards the children in care from their parents. Hostility was quite commonly encountered.

It's the same sort of prejudice which has caused your 'issues,' so don't blame the council, who are only trying to fulfil their obligations towards some of the more unfortunate youngsters in the community.

In an ideal world, these children would be fostered or adopted, but as you've found out, the world is far from ideal, or fair. No doubt, a few children will likely be difficult or a bit rough, but that might be the case with any family picked at random to live next door.

Oppose the plans by all means, if there are good reasons for the site being unsuitable. The decision will be made on planning grounds. "It'll affect the value of my house!" will not be a valid objection.

[Deleted User]

Sometimes very disappointed by posts made on here. Where are the children supposed to go? "Anywhere but not near me?" I guess you are going to have to wait til a less judgemental person who wants to buy your house comes along. You have had one offer withdrawn. That's all.

Can't believe you are even considering writing a letter to the council to complain. Its society that's at fault, not the council, if they want to build a group home for children and IF its affected your price. Are you assuming the children are going to be 'problems' or do you have any recognition that they are the victims in their situation? Or do you just not care, its affected your price so its gotta be bad?

I suggest you contact the council, not to complain but to ask what they plan to do with the house.., ages of children etc. Then you might be able to answer any questions possible buyers would have, or maybe a planning application (if there is one) gives some idea. You don't know exactly what you are dealing with yet. Just had an encounter with one judgmental buyer who may have changed their mind anyway.

Tiners

It's just all part of the lottery of life, the fact that next door is being turned into something you (or other people) might deem as 'undesirable' and that may have a negative impact on your property value doesn't entitle you to any form of compensation (it's quite laughable that you think it should)

If the local council were to have done something in your local area that resulted in your property being more desirable and increasing in value would you be insisting on sharing that 'uplift' with them?

datostar

Something similar happened with a house next door but one to us. County Social Services converted it to a home for adults with learning difficulties. No problems at all. The Carers are nice friendly people, one or two of the residents can be a bit distressed at times but soon settle down. All in all they make good neighbours. No reason for a Children's Home with small numbers to be any different.

Crashy_Time

deannatrois wrote: »

Sometimes very disappointed by posts made on here. Where are the children supposed to go? "Anywhere but not near me?" I guess you are going to have to wait til a less judgemental person who wants to buy your house comes along. You have had one offer withdrawn. That's all.

Can't believe you are even considering writing a letter to the council to complain. Its society that's at fault, not the council, if they want to build a group home for children and IF its affected your price. Are you assuming the children are going to be 'problems' or do you have any recognition that they are the victims in their situation? Or do you just not care, its affected your price so its gotta be bad?

I suggest you contact the council, not to complain but to ask what they plan to do with the house.., ages of children etc. Then you might be able to answer any questions possible buyers would have, or maybe a planning application (if there is one) gives some idea. You don't know exactly what you are dealing with yet. Just had an encounter with one judgmental buyer who may have changed their mind anyway.

The UK has become all about property prices and how big a car you can`t really afford on monthly payments, but it looks like many people are now having to come to terms with property price drops, and that can only be a good thing for society in the long run IMO.

cloo

I think Deanna's advice is very good. If you can find out more, you can answer questions - the more info you have, the more assurance there will be for potential buyers.