Disclose that (attached) house next door is privately rented when selling?

[Deleted User]

Hi.  We are end-terrace homeowners and the house immediately next to us is privately rented.  If/when the time comes for us to sell, do we *legally* have to disclose that the adjoined, mid-terrace house is privately rented, please?  I know there are forms to fill out when selling and the form asks about immediate neighbours, so I wondered how we stand on this particular issue.  I'd like to add that there are NO disputes between us, the next door Landlords and the tenants next door, if this helps!  Thanks in advance.  

davidmcn

Only if somebody asks, but it would be an odd question to ask you (in any formal way anyway, obviously viewers might ask what the neighbours are like etc).

wilfred30

MrsP1974 said:

Hi.  We are end-terrace homeowners and the house immediately next to us is privately rented.  If/when the time comes for us to sell, do we *legally* have to disclose that the adjoined, mid-terrace house is privately rented, please?  I know there are forms to fill out when selling and the form asks about immediate neighbours, so I wondered how we stand on this particular issue.  I'd like to add that there are NO disputes between us, the next door Landlords and the tenants next door, if this helps!  Thanks in advance.  

No you don't.

[Deleted User]

@davidmcn Thank you.  I am very worried about this particular issue.  We tried selling our house late last/earlier this year and we've given up for now (we've also got a downstairs bathroom which is a huge no-no, it would seem, when selling a house!).  Over the past five years we've had varying neighbours/tenants and some of them have been a bit noisier than we'd like (although they could have been much worse; however, I just don't want to hear anyone running up and down the stairs at 10.30pm at night anymore and this is why I'd like to move to a detached property one day in the future, if possible).  I was asking the question because *some* people would find it disconcerting to live next to a property where you never know who's coming next and how long they're staying.  If someone bought our house, then found out next door was actually rented, and we hadn't disclosed this on any solicitors' paperwork, I am very worried that someone would take us to court (saying that they wouldn't have bought our house if they knew next door was rented).  Thanks for your comment.  

Benzine

There are no forms that have this specific question. I've been asked the question by buyers in the past and have always been honest. It's never really been an issue though. 

[Deleted User]

@Benzine Thanks so much for your reply.  When we (tried!) selling our house last year, on the solicitors forms, it asked us about our immediate neighbours.  We wrote their names and how long they'd been living there....but we didn't disclose that the adjoining neighbours are renters.  I figured that the form didn't ask us *specifically* about whether they owned the property or not but I'm a born worrier, let alone over the issue of selling our house (which I'm still mentally worn out from to this day!).  Thank you for your comment.    

[Deleted User]

@wilfred30 Thanks for that; I'm feeling more at ease over this matter now.  Thank you for your reply.  

davidmcn

Generally, there is no expectation that you know anything about your neighbours. I couldn't tell you for certain whether mine rent or not. 

[Deleted User]

@davidmcn We're fairly friendly with most people in our street and everyone knows that the house next door to us is rented.  It wasn't a rental when my husband bought our current house in 2006; I think it became a rental a couple of years after that.  As long as we don't get into any trouble for not disclosing this when (if?!) we ever sell then that's ok.  I just didn't want anyone chasing us in the future saying they'd never have bought our house if they knew next door was rented and they hold us legally responsible.  Trying (and failing) to sell our house has been enough of a mental strain on me, let alone this possibility!  Thank you for your reply.     

TBagpuss

Normally, you have to disclose if there have been any disputes or if you know of anything likely to cause a dispute.

The fact that the house may be rented is not something likely to cause a dispute, so you don't have to disclose it. 

Grumpy_chap

I think you are worrying too much.

There is no reason tenants would be any better (or worse) than owner occupier.  Very snobby for you, or anyone, to think otherwise.

There is no need to say their names, how long they have been there or anything.  If specifically asked, just say there is a young/old chap/couple/lady in as vague terms as you can.  Only a problem if next door is a brothel or cannabis factory, in which case you might need to be creative with the answer, like "very popular lady".