the neighbour's house conditions stopping us from selling my father's house

bozzy18

Hello, I inherited my father's house and would like to sell it but the problem we have is the neighbour's house that is covered in mouldy windows, overgrown rear and front garden.  Abandoned vehicle in the front garden full of rubbish.  There is an extension at the back of their house but it is falling apart.  there is an out of control willow tree in the back garden.  
We reported it to the Environmental health and they visited and spoke to the neighbours.  We've spoken to the neighbours so have the other neighbours affected by them.  The owners appeared aggressive towards us.  They simply do not want to do anything.  We have offered to pay for a garden clearance firm to come in and clean up the gardens for them but to no avail.  
There does seems to be signs of hoarding but we do not know if they have mental health issues.  Their two teenage kids live with them as well.  Curtains and net curtains are black with mould! 
We are in despair and just don't know what to do now.  Do any of you have ideas or experience of this?
Thanks all.

princeofpounds

So what did the council say? In theory they are the people who are supposed to deal with things like this. Mess isn't their problem, but abandoned vehicles, rubbish and signficant mould are all things they could act on.

If the council aren't being helpful, try speaking to your local councillor at the relevant level.

davilown

Reduce the price to entice more buyers would probably help. Unless the neighbours house condition is detrimental to yours, I’m not sure you can do much more than you already have tbf.

bozzy18

princeofpounds said:

So what did the council say? In theory they are the people who are supposed to deal with things like this. Mess isn't their problem, but abandoned vehicles, rubbish and signficant mould are all things they could act on.

If the council aren't being helpful, try speaking to your local councillor at the relevant level.

Sorry the EV officer said there is not very much they can do but "encourage" them to clear up their gardens!  Good point re the councillor.  I did think of raising a formal complaint as well.

bozzy18

davilown said:

Reduce the price to entice more buyers would probably help. Unless the neighbours house condition is detrimental to yours, I’m not sure you can do much more than you already have tbf.

The house is not on the market yet but we were warned by the estate agent that it doesn't matter how much - the awful state of the property next door would put off buyers.  

pinkteapot

bozzy18 said:

davilown said:

Reduce the price to entice more buyers would probably help. Unless the neighbours house condition is detrimental to yours, I’m not sure you can do much more than you already have tbf.

The house is not on the market yet but we were warned by the estate agent that it doesn't matter how much - the awful state of the property next door would put off buyers.  

Not entirely true. Put it on at £1 and I guarantee someone will buy it. There will be a price at which someone will take it off you - sounds like this EA didn't want the hassle of a non-straightforward property. 

If you can't find an EA to take it on, put it in an auction with no reserve. 

princeofpounds

bozzy18 said:

princeofpounds said:

So what did the council say? In theory they are the people who are supposed to deal with things like this. Mess isn't their problem, but abandoned vehicles, rubbish and signficant mould are all things they could act on.

If the council aren't being helpful, try speaking to your local councillor at the relevant level.

Sorry the EV officer said there is not very much they can do but "encourage" them to clear up their gardens!  Good point re the councillor.  I did think of raising a formal complaint as well.

I suspect that's a matter of interpretation. They have plenty of powers, if they choose to enforce. But they will generally only exercise them in the more severe cases, or if they are under internal political or administrative pressure.

It's worth speaking to the councillor first, then complaint, then local government ombudsman (perhaps). 

But first, anything you can do to understand their policies will help - it's generally best to root any objections in their own bureaucratic framework, as that's ultimately what they are assessed against. 

Things like this (I don't know how relevant this is to your local EH department, this is just an illustration). 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcementguide/intro.htm

moneysavinghero

You inherited the house as is. It's value is it's value. Don't get worked up thinking what it could be worth if only x and y happened. It hasn't cost you anything so it's not like you are losing anything. You will sell it for the right price.

Justonemorecupoftea

Not exactly ethical but reports of rats often kick environmental health into action...

bozzy18

pinkteapot said:

bozzy18 said:

davilown said:

Reduce the price to entice more buyers would probably help. Unless the neighbours house condition is detrimental to yours, I’m not sure you can do much more than you already have tbf.

The house is not on the market yet but we were warned by the estate agent that it doesn't matter how much - the awful state of the property next door would put off buyers.  

Not entirely true. Put it on at £1 and I guarantee someone will buy it. There will be a price at which someone will take it off you - sounds like this EA didn't want the hassle of a non-straightforward property. 

If you can't find an EA to take it on, put it in an auction with no reserve. 

no reserve?  is that not risky?!  EA was being honest - it is really that bad!

bozzy18

moneysavinghero said:

You inherited the house as is. It's value is it's value. Don't get worked up thinking what it could be worth if only x and y happened. It hasn't cost you anything so it's not like you are losing anything. You will sell it for the right price.

i agree but for personal reasons i would want to get as much as i can for it and why should i sell for much less.  i know the value as other similar properties have been sold on the street over the past few months.