Landlord of our short term rental selling to our neighbours who are now stressing me out

gettingtheresometime

climbthatwallseegar said:

When I say the above the wife often talks over me and goes on about the fact they are both self employed and have to get their mortgage organised in the next few months because their accounts for this year look healthy but might not next year so she wants to “strike while the irons hot” and get good deal. 

I like the idea of advising them the purchase has fallen through, thanks for that suggestion. I will try that next time and say I now have nothing further to advise. 

I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying the purchase has fallen through - to me that wouldn't  be tempting fate!

As for her comments don't engage....just go 'mmmm' & end the conversation!

SDLT_Geek

gettingtheresometime said:

climbthatwallseegar said:

I like the idea of advising them the purchase has fallen through, thanks for that suggestion. I will try that next time and say I now have nothing further to advise. 

I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying the purchase has fallen through - to me that wouldn't  be tempting fate!

Yes, why on earth would OP want to start telling lies?!

theoretica

climbthatwallseegar said:

When I say the above the wife often talks over me and goes on about the fact they are both self employed and have to get their mortgage organised in the next few months because their accounts for this year look healthy but might not next year so she wants to “strike while the irons hot” and get good deal.

Their accounts are not your problem - and it seems she needs help seeing that if she wants your goodwill she should be accommodating and not demanding. 

deannagone

I would tell her very firmly that you are finding her constant questions and insistence that her daughter plays in YOUR garden very intrusive.  Tell her you want to move as much as she does, but for now this is your home, not hers.  On the understanding that you will inform her when exchange has happened, the constant questions must cease as will granting her access to your garden. If needs be, write this in a letter.  Refer her to your solicitor if she has any further questions.  That's what they are there for.  I would also suggest that there are parks for her daughter to play in and that this is what most families use.

saajan_12

Is there a way they can access the garden without going through your flat? Even if you have to go a long way around, I'd let them in to the garden, then go back in the flat and ignore. Less opportunity for questions and zero nosing about the interior. 

The next question she does ask, don't answer however vague you're being - it seems to just encourage her to keep probing. Instead, say a polite but firm "Sorry but its stressful enough, I'll let you know if / when we're ready to move, but until then please can we avoid discussing". 

GrumpyDil

deannagone said:

 Refer her to your solicitor if she has any further questions.  That's what they are there for.

Sorry but why would you do that? Your solicitor isn't there to answer random questions from someone who has no involvement in your purchase chain and would certainly be charging you if they do start answering such questions. 

steampowered

It sounds like you are only giving vague, unhelpful answers. Why is probably why people keep asking the same questions - because you don't answer them !!!

Just give a proper answer. "I am in a chain. My seller hasn't found a buyer yet. It will take at least several months. You will just have to wait".

Then everybody knows where they stand. 

climbthatwallseegar

steampowered said:

It sounds like you are only giving vague, unhelpful answers. Why is probably why people keep asking the same questions - because you don't answer them !!!

Just give a proper answer. "I am in a chain. My seller hasn't found a buyer yet. It will take at least several months. You will just have to wait".

Then everybody knows where they stand. 

I’m not sure if you read my previous comments. That is exactly what I have said. I haven’t been vague at all. There isn’t anything to be ‘vague’ about. I have told her the facts  slowly and in simple, plain terms that we are in a chain which is incomplete and we have absolutely no idea when we we exchange end complete. As mentioned, my impression is she doesn’t understand the process as she hasn’t bought a property before and she seems to think there is something I can ‘do’ to speed things up. 

I plan to no longer engage with her on the subject and just breezily say I have no news in future. 

climbthatwallseegar

saajan_12 said:

Is there a way they can access the garden without going through your flat? Even if you have to go a long way around, I'd let them in to the garden, then go back in the flat and ignore. Less opportunity for questions and zero nosing about the interior. 

The next question she does ask, don't answer however vague you're being - it seems to just encourage her to keep probing. Instead, say a polite but firm "Sorry but its stressful enough, I'll let you know if / when we're ready to move, but until then please can we avoid discussing". 

There is no other access to the garden. It still has a slide and other bits the previous tenants installed and they used to let the toddler play in it. It seems cruel to refuse. It’s a big garden and when the woman’s DH brings the child it is fine as he doesn’t bombard us with questions etc. The toddler plays with my older DC who like making a fuss of her and she is no bother. We are surrounded by parks though and no idea why they don’t take her to one tbh. 

TripleH

An alternative is "we are waiting for the buyer to sort things out, with their end. I am as frustrated about this lack of progress as you, but until they sort things out there is nothing I more I can actually do at this stage. I will let you know as soon as something changes"

Then if she asks again 'sorry nothing to report on' and leave it like that.

If you present that you are frustrated by the lack of progress, she might get the hint?

Regarding the accounts, sort of a red herring if they had  a bad year they could present multiple sets to a broker plus if they are worried about work, should they be buying a flat?