House purchase, Just been informed a “notorious” murder took place.

jimmy1969

Hi,
I have an offer accepted on a house, got the survey done and searches are nearing completion.
I just received an email from my solicitor to say that a murder has taken place at the house and was I aware of this…..errr no.

I am not from the area that I am buying so was unaware about this murder. I have now googled the information and it is quite a famous and horrific murder for the area which happened 5 years ago. The house is also not a standard house so if someone wants the know where I live in the area they will just say the murder house.
I am not overly concerned for myself and wife but my boy will start high school in September, kids from the school will obviously know about the “murder house” and it won’t be long before he finds out. It is a fabulous victorian house, basically an old mansion but I am peeved that the EA or vendor did not make me aware before I spent money and are nearing completion.
Any thoughts…

user1977

Are you so "peeved" that you don't want to buy it any more?

RelievedSheff

It isn't something that would really bother me. It isn't like you or the house were involved in the murder!!

jazzyja

Hell to the no

moneysavinghero

Make a complaint to the ombudsman, The EA has an obligation to reveal any material information about the house to you (but did they know? maybe the vendor didn't tell them? but if it's famously locally then they should know)

GDB2222

Would you expect a somewhat discounted price? Houses with a reputation, particularly a recent incident like this, can have a more limited market and be hard to sell. At least, hard to sell to locals. The sellers have to wait until someone from out of town comes along ....

pulliptears

It's just bricks and mortar.  Wouldn't bother me.  The teenager will get some mileage from the odd ghost story I imagine and in a few years time it will all be forgotten.

elsien

I'm a bit unsure what you're asking, to be honest. As someone else said, there is a difference between being so bothered by it you want to pull out of the sale, (in which case you have fees you wouldn't have had otherwise) or more a concern about how to address it with your son. 
Most old houses will have had someone die in them at some point, in the days when people used to die at home, it's just that it was the norm so we don't know about it. When your son goes to school it'll be a five minute wonder - presumably the people you have buying from have been living there with no issues?

So other than not being told, what are your more specific concerns? It's probably not going to make a massive difference pricewise - Dennis Nielson's house sold at not much below market value, after all. 

lookstraightahead

So are you more worried about your son or the murder or the money? 

If it's your son, no amount of money will make that right, so I suppose it's whether you want to buy it or not.
My house is haunted and no one told me 😂. 

Adsta

Gives the place extra character! 
That said I think the MSE guide says you should ask when viewing if there were any murders in the house. Not sure if EA has to declare unless asked? 

freesha

You know we need a link to the house, or the story at least? Before we can give proper advice