Unsure about new house purchase

phey708

Hello,

FTB here in which I had an offer received on a 3 bedroom house which looked really nice and a great starter home. I however have done some reading around the local facebook groups and local news only to find out that an ex-pub just a few houses around the corner is being converted to a 9 room 'emergency homeless' shelter which I am a little concerned about. Having a look at the online planning site my findings where correct and has been approved.

It also looks like a restaurant just a few houses down the road is currently in progress to be converted to a large 10 room HMO. Having found out about this I am now unsure about the house and its casting doubt in my mind. I have a small family and I am not sure if it is a wise choice to be moving so close to homeless people with potential mental health or substance abuse issues.

Am I being too cynical or do I have a right to be concerned? I feel like it won't be a good purchase and would be valued less once the Homeless HMO's are up and running. It has put the shine off a little bit and I don't think the area will be safe. Up to now I have simply submitted the mortgage application still pending a decision/valuation and the solicitors I have chosen are still waiting for draft contracts so I have not committed any costs as of yet.

Looking for any input really or experience of anyone who lives near a large homeless HMO.

Thrugelmir

phey708 said:

I have a small family and I am not sure if it is a wise choice to be moving so close to homeless people with potential mental health or substance abuse issues.

Could equally apply to any neighbour that you end up with. Even the most respectable of neighbours maybe hiding dark secrets. Appearances can be deceptive. 

Gavin83

I think you’d be crazy to continue with this purchase in all honesty. A lot of people wouldn’t buy a house near a HMO and this will severely devalue your house. Don’t do it.

london21

phey708 said:

Hello,

FTB here in which I had an offer received on a 3 bedroom house which looked really nice and a great starter home. I however have done some reading around the local facebook groups and local news only to find out that an ex-pub just a few houses around the corner is being converted to a 9 room 'emergency homeless' shelter which I am a little concerned about. Having a look at the online planning site my findings where correct and has been approved.

It also looks like a restaurant just a few houses down the road is currently in progress to be converted to a large 10 room HMO. Having found out about this I am now unsure about the house and its casting doubt in my mind. I have a small family and I am not sure if it is a wise choice to be moving so close to homeless people with potential mental health or substance abuse issues.

Am I being too cynical or do I have a right to be concerned? I feel like it won't be a good purchase and would be valued less once the Homeless HMO's are up and running. It has put the shine off a little bit and I don't think the area will be safe. Up to now I have simply submitted the mortgage application still pending a decision/valuation and the solicitors I have chosen are still waiting for draft contracts so I have not committed any costs as of yet.

Looking for any input really or experience of anyone who lives near a large homeless HMO.

Valid concerns but any property you buy can have HMO nearby.

do you research on the area, speak to people living there etc.

the council also often re-house homeless people to properties rented on lease from private landlords etc . 

MalMonroe

There's that old saying, "if in doubt, don't". You have done some research after making your offer and have discovered some facts you weren't aware of before. That's not unusual. I wouldn't push ahead if you are not happy. I once did that with a house I bought and was utterly miserable the whole time I lived there. 

I know others are saying it may not be as bad as you think, etc. but there are more houses out there and the right one is waiting for you. I don't care how snobby it sounds but I would not want to knowingly move to live near a homeless shelter nor would I want to live near any HMO. You are not being cynical and you are right to be concerned. 

You said this "I feel like it won't be a good purchase and would be valued less once the Homeless HMO's are up and running. It has put the shine off a little bit and I don't think the area will be safe."  You are at a stage when you are able to withdraw and it's good that you're seeking a mortgage anyway, so you will be in a strong position when the best house for you pops up.

I'd just recommend doing research at an earlier stage next time - I certainly did because I didn't want to make the same mistake twice. 

firebubble

I lived round the corner from a much bigger homeless shelter than 9 bedrooms, and it was fine. A lot of this was to do with being round the corner - I wouldn't want to be on the same street as them because there are disturbances from time to time, but a street away you wouldn't notice. They do tend to gather anywhere nearby with benches or even a commercial doorway if they're desperate, so have a think about what's close to your property in terms of public seating, playgrounds/parks, places which sell cheap alcohol, 24 hour/late night shops and the nearest pharmacy which has a needle programme - if any of these are very close to your house, you might see a lot of more of the residents. On the bright side, homeless people are generally single, so if the shelter has nine bedrooms, there will probably be only 9 residents.

Any idea who the HMO is aimed in terms of price or room size? Each bedroom could potentially house a small family (say 3 or 4 people). Families would be your best hope in a way, because they tend to avoid all night parties (and not want their children disturbed in this way). What parking rights are granted with the planning permission - if it's not restricted, that's potentially 10 cars needing to be parked.

As others have said though, go with your gut. The loveliest house will feel like a prison if you're nervous about the people nearby.

Sunsaru

Trust your gut.

warby68

That would be enough to change my mind.

To be fair I'd be wary of any ex-commercial buildings unlikely to re-open in ways similar to previous usage. A big unknown and if the proposed use is contentious there can be long delays with empty, gradually more derelict buildings which attract their own problems.

getmore4less

Am I being too cynical or do I have a right to be concerned? I feel like it won't be a good purchase and would be valued less once the Homeless HMO's are up and running. 

Since there is approved planning  that should all be factored in by now.

How much lower that will be from near a restaurant and round the corner from a pub who knows.

if the is a map interface into the planning site that's a really good way to find out what's going on near a property.

GixerKate

First of all I would say nice one on doing your homework, a lot of people don't do it and regret it later.

I would be thinking the same as you and in all honesty I would probably walk away now before investing any money unless the house is amazing that is in which case its a hard decision.

Are there any other properties that you have your eye on?