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Sale falling through because of a 'House Stalker'
clueless22
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hoping someone can offer some advice as I'm not sure where to turn. Apologies for the length but it is rather complicated.
My mother has a lovely 4 bed house on the Isle of Wight. Sadly her husband passed away and she wants to downsize and move near family back on the main land.
But there is a problem that has now caused two sales to fall through.
There is a chap on the Island that has lead a reign of terror over numerous homeowners, from what I can gather back in the 80’s lost his house after a divorce and has targeted solicitors and houses that have been purchased using these firms ever since.
For instance he claims my mother’s house was built without planning permission - when this was proved incorrect he then claimed that the planning permission was forged and the local MP was covering it up. There have been many other unfounded things like this and he goes as far as pinning signs in public places (he even tried to imply one was signed by my mother) - in 2014 when they bought the house he even let himself in and she discovered him in the kitchen.
His antics have been reported to the police who has confirmed they have many more from other people but cannot disclose any specifics.
Obviously she has disclosed this on the SPIF and whilst the buyers had agreed this man was just batty when they looked further into it they pulled out. The first after speaking to the police who confirmed there had been 38 complaints about him in September (none of these were from my mother) and the second buyer pulled out as his solicitor had said they knew him and not to touch the property with a barge pole.
The previous sellers were fully aware (my mums estate agent recalls them chasing him out of the house in 2010) and didn’t disclose this info. The solicitors her husband used were also aware of him (they had apparently had him sent to prison for a short period) and the estate agents were also fully aware.
Firstly - how can this be allowed to go on? Why is no one doing anything about this man who is causing so much distress?
And secondly, how on earth can my mother sell the house. Any more buyers pulling out will spark alarm bells with future buyers surely.
I have advised here to seek legal advice off the Island and I’m currently going through reviews of firms in Southampton….
My mother has a lovely 4 bed house on the Isle of Wight. Sadly her husband passed away and she wants to downsize and move near family back on the main land.
But there is a problem that has now caused two sales to fall through.
There is a chap on the Island that has lead a reign of terror over numerous homeowners, from what I can gather back in the 80’s lost his house after a divorce and has targeted solicitors and houses that have been purchased using these firms ever since.
For instance he claims my mother’s house was built without planning permission - when this was proved incorrect he then claimed that the planning permission was forged and the local MP was covering it up. There have been many other unfounded things like this and he goes as far as pinning signs in public places (he even tried to imply one was signed by my mother) - in 2014 when they bought the house he even let himself in and she discovered him in the kitchen.
His antics have been reported to the police who has confirmed they have many more from other people but cannot disclose any specifics.
Obviously she has disclosed this on the SPIF and whilst the buyers had agreed this man was just batty when they looked further into it they pulled out. The first after speaking to the police who confirmed there had been 38 complaints about him in September (none of these were from my mother) and the second buyer pulled out as his solicitor had said they knew him and not to touch the property with a barge pole.
The previous sellers were fully aware (my mums estate agent recalls them chasing him out of the house in 2010) and didn’t disclose this info. The solicitors her husband used were also aware of him (they had apparently had him sent to prison for a short period) and the estate agents were also fully aware.
Firstly - how can this be allowed to go on? Why is no one doing anything about this man who is causing so much distress?
And secondly, how on earth can my mother sell the house. Any more buyers pulling out will spark alarm bells with future buyers surely.
I have advised here to seek legal advice off the Island and I’m currently going through reviews of firms in Southampton….
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Comments
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Is this man perhaps suffering from dementia? It certainly sounds as if he could be. Either way, he needs to be locked up by the sound of things.0
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Surely your mother is in a good position to do something about him? Has she investigated getting an injunction of some sort?clueless22 wrote: »Why is no one doing anything about this man who is causing so much distress?0 -
That's what I'm hoping the solicitors will be able to advise on but I am worried it may cause him to start up again as he's not targeted her house since May/June and he is clearly unstable.
The thought of having to take legal action terrifies her (she is elderly and forgets details and dates hence why she wants to move off the island).0 -
Oh goodness, what a truly horrid situation...
In terms of selling the house, I think ultimately the usual advice applies- someone will buy it despite the local nutter so long as the price is right. Your mum won't make top dollar but if she's intending to downsize anyway, hopefully she'll clear sufficient from the sale to buy somewhere smaller on the mainland.
In terms of dealing with the nutty neighbour, I'm not sure there's a huge amount she can do other than obtaining an injunction if he's breaking into her home or doing anything else clearly criminal. As you say, in view of her health and circumstances I doubt she'd welcome the hassle of trying to take him on in that way.
I think the best and probably only option is to price low for a quick sale and get the hell out as soon as she can...0 -
Any official neighbour/local dispute will have to be declared, as I understand it; if not by your mother then, technically, by the EA (we all know how honest and forthcoming they are)
Do you know of no-one (ahem) suitable who might discourage this whack-job or deflect his attentions elsewhere? He sounds as if he should be detained somewhere and not allowed to roam around the streets bothering the neighbourhood, whatever his issues.
I wonder what he might do if some six foot six, two miles wide boxer type were to buy your mother's house...0 -
The "Watcher" house sold recently so there is hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBoKesAQFHU0 -
clueless22 wrote: »Hoping someone can offer some advice as I'm not sure where to turn. Apologies for the length but it is rather complicated.
My mother has a lovely 4 bed house on the Isle of Wight. Sadly her husband passed away and she wants to downsize and move near family back on the main land.
But there is a problem that has now caused two sales to fall through.
There is a chap on the Island that has lead a reign of terror over numerous homeowners, from what I can gather back in the 80’s lost his house after a divorce and has targeted solicitors and houses that have been purchased using these firms ever since.
For instance he claims my mother’s house was built without planning permission - when this was proved incorrect he then claimed that the planning permission was forged and the local MP was covering it up. There have been many other unfounded things like this and he goes as far as pinning signs in public places (he even tried to imply one was signed by my mother) - in 2014 when they bought the house he even let himself in and she discovered him in the kitchen.
His antics have been reported to the police who has confirmed they have many more from other people but cannot disclose any specifics.
Obviously she has disclosed this on the SPIF and whilst the buyers had agreed this man was just batty when they looked further into it they pulled out. The first after speaking to the police who confirmed there had been 38 complaints about him in September (none of these were from my mother) and the second buyer pulled out as his solicitor had said they knew him and not to touch the property with a barge pole.
The previous sellers were fully aware (my mums estate agent recalls them chasing him out of the house in 2010) and didn’t disclose this info. The solicitors her husband used were also aware of him (they had apparently had him sent to prison for a short period) and the estate agents were also fully aware.
Firstly - how can this be allowed to go on? Why is no one doing anything about this man who is causing so much distress?
And secondly, how on earth can my mother sell the house. Any more buyers pulling out will spark alarm bells with future buyers surely.
I have advised here to seek legal advice off the Island and I’m currently going through reviews of firms in Southampton….
I might be reading this wrong, but you say his problem is with a certain company being used to sell houses? Or any house they sold years ago?
How is he actually causing sales to fall through? What is your mother actually putting on the SPIF form about this & has she actually had a personal dispute with him? What are the police saying?0 -
Speak to your councillor and press for an ASBO.
It’s quite an expensive business getting an injunction, and he’ll obviously ignore it, so there’ll be more expense enforcing it. The ASBO route costs you nothing, and the guy is obviously being quite a pest.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0 -
Sell via auction.0
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