Potential House Purchase: next door is derelict

saints9626

Hi
As per the title really, I am interested in a recently renovated terraced house, the house next door however is in a terrible state, the render has been pulled off around the front windows/door, the extension to the back has been knocked down and the interior wall is exposed. There are holes in the slate roof and the garden is just rubble.

Looking on Google Street view this property has not changed much if at all in 10 years. I am fairly confident the house I'm considering and the derelict one are older than the ones to either side and such were built together, hence sharing a load bearing wall, used to share a chimney breast but this has been taken down. The roofs align whereas houses to both sides do not, the general layout and brickwork is also different. I know these houses are pre 1911 because I found some info on a census.

The Derelict house has some minute signs of progress in spray painted lines in the garden laying out a patio or something, and tea cups on the window cill, but it is clearly not lived in, there are weeds growing over the front door...

According to the estate agent the person who owns the derelict one does not want to sell and is going to fix the house himself. (the developer of the nice house asked them) and the EA reckons he'll be fixing it in the next few months. they of course have no proof of this claim and they go quiet when I mention it's already sat for 10 years.

My main concern is water damage, and potential structural issues if the person next door doesn't know what they're doing or does things on the cheap. Other than this the house I'm looking at is great for the money and the sellers have moved from Offers in excess of £185,000 to potentially accepting £180,000 within the first week, again a red flag...

Any tips or experience welcomed, thank you

Cakeguts

It is value for money because of the house next door.

need_an_answer

derelict properties attract allsorts from humans squatting to rats and infestations.

Your house that you are looking at will be cheaper for that reason and wont increase kerb appeal until the house nextdoor is made habitable.

That may take 10 months,it could be another 10 years...

It could even be part of a compulsory purchase and renovation which could then lend itself to being used to house someone other than the homeowner...or indeed carved up for 2 flats...at this stage you have no idea whos going to live there or what it will be like in 5 years time...

Spray lines in the garden..you hope will be a patio,could be a large extention or even marking out parking spaces.....
Don't take the EA's word for what is happening...knock on the door and introduce yourself as the potential neighbour or even as someone enquiring about the property that's being done up..thats the only way you'll find out for sure who or what you'll be living next door to should you proceed.


If it were me i'd be investing in the biggest purchase I'm about to make in an area that's established and looking good.


The only way to guarantee that the derelict is refurbished to how you want/hope is for that to be the one you buy...not next door!

saints9626

Thanks for the replies, I don't mind the prospect of them extending their house, most of the other houses already have done this (including the one I'm looking at), if they were intending to fix up the house soon it would be less of an issue.
I'm dubious of everything the agent says as their answers to previous questions about shared access alleyways etc did not fill me with confidence. Their main response to the potential structural issue of the house next door is that anything bad will appear in a survey...
I almost did knock on the door but the faded post jammed into the letterbox suggested it was either empty or the person in there was not going to be too happy discussing renovation plans and boundary issues. If there was anyone living there I'd fear for their health with the amount of damp that must be present!
I'm expecting a call from the EA tomorrow and unless they give a very impressive explanation/solution for the house then I shan't give it another thought.

Gutted as it's been fully renovated and wanted for nothing, more floor space than anything else I can afford but I suppose the old saying is still accurate, if it seems to good...

Thanks!

trailingspouse

Put that barge pole DOWN.


Seriously, you've just given us 5 paragraphs of excellent reasons why you shouldn't buy this house. Don't buy this house.

Mutton_Geoff

saints9626 wrote: »

I'm dubious of everything the agent says

Good start. If their lips move, you know they are lying.

markin

If the house you want needed planning, Check the is actually any applied for next door also, If its within permitted it may show nothing on either.

Gwendo40

The only way I'd consider buying a house that was next to a derelict house is if it was so cheap that I could afford to also buy next door!

SG27

I'd be concerned that this could be one of those houses where the owners are constantly doing never ending noisey work makimg your life a misery!

Doozergirl

If the house is detached, that's one thing. If you are attached, don't touch it. You cannot control the potential issues.

I wouldn't have even bought your house to renovate and sell on, let alone pay someone a profit for handing you a continuing risk.

20 years of renovating houses properly, I could not pass on the risk to someone else, I'd have to own it until something changed - which it will, eventually. It says a lot to me about someone's skill and integrity as a builder/developer if they think a derelict house sharing the party wall isn't an issue and choose to purchase it for profit.

I'd treat them with the disdain they deserve, frankly. Walk away.

AdrianC

saints9626 wrote: »

I'm dubious of everything the agent says...

Remember, the agent is employed by the vendor to sell the property.

They are not independent in any way. They do not act for the owner of the next-door property in any way. They do not act for YOU in any way...

All they can tell you is what the vendor has told them. You want somebody on your side? Employ them... Don't take the ones the agent suggests - because they're paying the vendor's agent for that recommendation.

You want to know what's happening next door? Find the owner yourself, and ask them directly. There's people working there? Ask them. But remember that their plans may change...