Feel duped

ss2020jd

I am struggling to visualise this as well. It’s hard to understand how this could be missed on viewing and with research. 

I have also viewed houses described as detached but in reality they are not. The latest one I didn’t actually get as far as physically viewing as I found pictures online showing it fully attached to a shop, despite saying it had been separated. The estate agent corrected the description after I asked them to clarify it but really it seems the onus is on the buyer to check the description is correct as far as you can. The land registry title map you can download should also show this.

Are there any drawings on the planning site that show this extension? If anything is built on a party wall there is usually a procedure but obviously not everyone follows this. If this is a new structure added which then changes the house from detached to semi, I can’t see how the previous owner would have agreed. Or that it even has planning permission or would come under permitted development. Can you speak to your solicitor to clarify? 

user1977

And in general, "detached" does have a tendency to be used in relation to things which are "slightly" attached. Even if you don't view the property, it should be obvious from the titles whether you've got a wall right on the boundary, liable to be built onto.

MaryNB

Greymug said:

Are you one of those guys who buy properties without going to view them?

I was thinking this but then they were living in the property for 3 months before they spotted it! If it took them that long to notice maybe they didn't see it during the viewing. 

I really want to see the listing for this property. How do you not notice that the window (even if glazed) doesn't look outside but into another room?

AnotherJoe

This is bizzarre. Why did you have to go to the local pub to find someone  had built an extension on your house?

And it took three months to noticed a window in your room and where it looked out to?

Is this a wind up?

Greymug

Must be a wind up, nobody would be so stupid.

But, if true, I'd spin it around and put a picture of a butthole against that window, just to !!!!!! the neighbours. Let us know how it goes 

eddddy

Your description is hard to follow, but I guess you mean...


- Your house was originally 'fully' detached - with one wall of the building built on the boundary with the neighbour.

- At some point, the neighbour has built a (smallish, single storey) extension onto their house, which goes up to the boundary. Perhaps turning part of your house wall into a party wall.

- Because of high fences (or other obstructions) you couldn't see into the neighbour's garden or see the smallish, single story extension.


TBH, if you buy any house with it's wall on the boundary that can happen. i.e. You could have bought the house 'fully' detached, and a shortly after you move in, the neighbour extends up to your wall that's forming the boundary.

SameOldRoundabout

I don’t understand how you can apparently have a window looking into this extension and not notice? Not where you can’t see due to a 15 foot high fence, but an actual glazed window in your blooming living room?! Where did you think it was looking?!! 

Irishpearce26

This is a post and run type of person.

sheramber

 but the condition was glazed windows were to forever be in place to give neighbours privacy.

How does a glazed window give privacy?

maisie_cat

I cannot visualise how you cannot walk all the way around a detached cottage and not notice an extension attached to it.
Before we even offered on our old cottage I bought the LR plans, bought a subscription to ordnance survey and  used google earth to investigate what the estate agent told us. We found out that some of the land included with the cottage wasn't after all, but at least we went in knowing this stuff.