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

macman

Tell them straight: it won't be mortgageable with less than 80 years left on the lease. Come redemption in 30 years, it will only have 49 years remaining.

Jude57

Or you could, y'know, just decide that this is not your circus and not your monkeys. None of your neighbours' potential problems are your concern. Whether there's a short lease, whether they can afford to buy, whether they understand what leasehold means, how the valuation process works, none of this is your concern. I think that every time you answer a question of theirs or try to explain the conveyancing process to them, you're just encouraging them to keep coming to you as their friendly, local expert.

Time to play dumb and repeat the phrase 'I don't know, too complicated for me, ask your solicitor'. Responding with any other information or advice is only prolonging your own irritation at their intrusion and while I entirely understand wanting to keep good neighbourly relations, I worry that they'll continue to pester you even after you move out, if you don't stop it now.

HampshireH

climbthatwallseegar said:

The landlady has arranged a valuation for next week. I’m not sure what she is planning to do about the lease, by my estimation it only has around 80 years remaining and when we moved in she mentioned it was a ‘headache’ because of a problem with the freeholder.  

My neighbours do not understand the implications of a short lease and the problems they might have securing a mortgage with one although I have sent them links explaining it all. The husband has said something about buying without a mortgage so perhaps they think they can be cash buyers. I very much doubt they’d have available funds for this place though, even with a short lease. This flat is not exactly in good condition but we are a 15min walk from central London and the market around here is crazy. 

I really wouldn't worry. Their financials aren't your problem. Your landlord must be aware of their either lack of experience or lack of understanding.

The more you engage the more she will ask.

deannagone

I wonder if this neighbour is someone who is used to getting people to do what they want by being a bit 'helpless' but actually has a determination of steel under the helplessness.  She may also have very little empathy. 

So either speak to her husband or write a letter saying that the flat is your home, and you are finding answering the constant questions very stressful, and would ask that the fact that this is your home be respected, that the daughter be taken to local parks.  I would start by saying that they please understand that you want to move out as much as they want to move in, but your chain has only just completed, it is far too early for significant news on how things are proceeding.., but you will let the LL know as soon as you have a completion date as you need to give notice to her anyway.`

You only have her word that the previous tenant let the child play in the garden.  

She may not react well, but your right to privacy, has to be respected.  Just be very firm. If she continues to try and speak to you, just say i said what needed to be said to your husband/in my letter.  Please refer to your solicitor.

climbthatwallseegar

Jude57 said:

Or you could, y'know, just decide that this is not your circus and not your monkeys. None of your neighbours' potential problems are your concern. Whether there's a short lease, whether they can afford to buy, whether they understand what leasehold means, how the valuation process works, none of this is your concern. I think that every time you answer a question of theirs or try to explain the conveyancing process to them, you're just encouraging them to keep coming to you as their friendly, local expert.

Time to play dumb and repeat the phrase 'I don't know, too complicated for me, ask your solicitor'. Responding with any other information or advice is only prolonging your own irritation at their intrusion and while I entirely understand wanting to keep good neighbourly relations, I worry that they'll continue to pester you even after you move out, if you don't stop it now.

After we move out? Oh dear god no. Hopefully I not see this woman again once we move and I certainly won't leave a forwarding address:)

Anyway, the amazing news is that they are going to visit their families abroad in their respective home countries next week and will be gone for several weeks. Huge relief and I am praying that whilst they are away I make some headway with our agonizingly slow moving purchase. 

She tried to ask if she could pop round when the surveyor is here for the valuation. I said no, referred her to the Landlady and closed the conversation down immediately.

Jude57

@climbthatwallseegar seriously? Good grief, can you imagine the list of questions she'd have for the poor valuer? I have a mental image of her trying to get the valuer to say what they'd decided the flat was worth, then trying to haggle it down!

Let's hope their holiday gives you some breathing space and that your purchase gets going before they get back. Good luck with everything.