Offer on house accepted (finally!) but potentially tricky neighbours. What to do?!?

ProDave

If the "strange" neighbours are the ones this semi is attached to, I would walk away.  You might be subject to a lot of noise and not be able to do anything about it.  If they are just close then you could just ignore them.

BikingBud

Lyd00 said:

Kids growing up to become teenagers in our area has been a big problem and has made me want to leave. Definitely try and suss them out a bit more, especially if you want it to be your forever home 

I would be more concerned about kids that didn't grow up to be teenagers!

You could always assess this as possible worst case scenario and work down.

HampshireH

Some really interesting responses to this post.

Cannabis factory just because the windows are covered? That's a big leap. Most cannabis factories aren't advertised in a way that makes them obvious. I.e. draws attention to them. It's when the snow doesn't settle on that one roof you want to worry.🤣

OP have you asked your seller? Or go and knock the door and have a chat you will get a better feel this way.

Everyone else still lives there it would seem. Is there a high turnover in the street? 

They may just like to keep themselves to themselves 

For me, if the grounds were a state and evidently unkempt I would probably look somewhere else. It's likely that won't change. Doesn't make them bad people though. But that's just because I prefer things tidy.

Mojisola

ameciar said:

It is in a middle-class, sub-urban area and generally the houses in the street are in very good condition.

After further investigation, it turns out that it is a family with young children, whose appearance and lifestyle are very different from the rest of the people living on the street.

Maybe they have felt the disapproval of the other residents and that's why they keep to themselves.

You've nothing to lose by introducing yourself in a friendly way and making your own judgements. 

user1977

Some more detail might be useful.

ameciar said:

one of the houses right next door

"Right next door" meaning the one attached? Or something else?

is run down with permanently covered windows

Can you expand on "run down"? Needing a lick of paint? Structurally dangerous? Windows covered with what?

whose appearance and lifestyle are very different from the rest of the people living on the street

Meaning...what? Do you have a preference for a neighbourhood with no diversity?

Apparently they own the house and are set to stay.

How has that been ascertained? When did they buy?

suggestions that they display some low-level anti-social behaviour (swearing/drinking) but are essentially harmless.

I'm a fan of swearing and drinking (sometimes combined) though generally not at a level which would alarm the neighbours. Has anybody been more specific?

babyblade41

I look at it slightly differently, if they own the house (have you downloaded deeds from your potential purchase & next doors?) then they may not worry too much what others think.

Maybe they have difficulty maintaining  their gardens etc & are too  proud to ask for help .
I would knock on the door and gauge what the reception is but it really wouldn't put me off especially if they are what neighbours think they are . 

I can be twice as annoying if need be  :-D

warby68

I wouldn't chance it personally.

If its 'scruffy' or run down looking I wouldn't want that next door even if they were nice. If its simply not quite as modernised and tarted up as the others then I'd not be so worried.

It DOES affect values or rather saleability nearby, or at least always has done in the areas I've lived and bought.

RelievedSheff

I wouldn't risk it. Having had nightmare neighbours previously it is something we are very keen to avoid now.

Getting_greyer

Knock on the door and politely explain you are thinking of buying next door so you want to reassure yourself that the neighbours behaviour and presentation are within keeping of the local area.

koalakoala

I wouldn’t want it !