Sue neighbours or landlord for devaluing property?

new_but_not_new

It's been a mix - I've done some viewings, and when I haven't been able to, the agent has taken people round. Agent has also reported on the 'strange noises' coming from next door.

I'm not sure the landlord wants to buy my flat. It's different to the ones he owns - he has a studio, and I think his others are all studios too; I have a 3 bedroom flat.

I've had around 20-30 viewings so far. Around half have commented on the neighbours, the rest say it's either too small and they want to buy further out to get more for their money or they want a garden. My flat is the same as a couple of flats that have sold on this very street and is priced at lower than they were.

PersianCatLady

new_but_not_new wrote: »

But could I do something about it? Does their landlord have a legal obligation to ensure his tenants aren't acting in this way?

No, believe it or not the LL doesn't have to do anything about his tenants' behaviour.

I have spent the past five years suffering from extremely severe neighbour abuse and the LL didn't care and there was nothing that I could do about it.

The behaviour of my neighbours was so bad that as soon as you mention the road, everybody in our town knows exactly which house and what you are talking about.

oystercatcher

Can you not clean up the grubbiness outside neighbours flat, or pay someone else to do it if you can't face it ? I know you shouldn't have to but if you really want to move just grit your teeth and do it to improve the area. Gift them some potted plants even to have outside their door ? If they ask why just joke about improving the area, you never know they might even join in !!

You say you'd be happy with 10% less than asking so drop the price to that.

Is there a time when next door aren't moaning and groaning etc? Arrange viewings for that time , as mentioned have air fresheners about or bake bread / make coffee etc etc to improve atmosphere.

Generally it comes down to price but make things as attractive as you can.

fairy_lights

Have you tried speaking directly to the neighbour? I don't really see what the landlord can do about it as the tenant isn't breaking any rules by making weird noises and living in a smelly flat.

Mojisola

new_but_not_new wrote: »

I've had around 20-30 viewings so far. Around half have commented on the neighbours, the rest say it's either too small and they want to buy further out to get more for their money or they want a garden.

Those sound like excuses because they didn't want to say the horrible neighbours had put them off your flat - all those reasons would have been evident from the EA details.

InterestedParty2018

I suspect formal action will result in you having to declare it, so best avoided.

Practically, I would attempt to smarten up the entrance area. (It sounds like you share common parts or similar, maybe a landing?) Clean it yourself. (Scrub floor, clean carpet, what ever it takes)
If there is a musty smell, can you try different air fresheners to see what works?
As someone else has mentioned, maybe play some background music to improve the ambience, but also mask *some* of the unpleasant sounds from the neighbour.

Davesnave

I've nothing useful to say that hasn't been said already, so I'll just congratulate you on being such a good neighbour that the folks next door go to these lengths to keep you!

sal_III

Have you ever spoken to the neighbour? I mean the tenant, not the LL. Even if the LL gets on board and decides to kick out the tenant it will take him 6+ months to do so if the tenant doesn't want to leave.

If you are happy to go 10% lower on the price and the only reason is said neighbour, try to bribe him to stay quiet during viewings. Something like £50 for each viewing he stays quiet and another couple of £100s on sale.

The dirt in front of his front door, should be the management co. / freeholder responsibility to clean, not his. As this is most likely communal area. Have you chased them?

Crashy_Time

Mojisola wrote: »

Maybe the neighbour's LL is encouraging them to behave this way so that you have to drop the price drastically at which point, he'll step in to buy from you.

Has your EA tried marketing the flat to LLs rather than FTBs? They won't be so concerned about the neighbours.

Very good point, maybe he is knocking a bit off the rent every time they do their little act? I still say the OP should drop their price first and torpedo the landlord`s price while he is still gazing through his periscope.

Comms69

Would you like them to come tell you what you can and cant do?


No? Then just move on.