Previous owner asking to buy back property!

lincroft1710

Sapindus said:

JuanBallOfWimbledon said:

We received a reply stating that they understand, but do we have a rough idea of how long we intend to stay? 

*When we had our first, second, and final pre-exchange viewing, they just had a basic metal house number number on the door. When we arrived after collecting the keys, they’d put up a new sign, drilled into the brick; ‘The Jones House - No7’ (obviously name and number changed here). 

*They also left directions of exactly how to feed the local wildlife - the likes and dislikes of the squirrels and birds, with the names they’ve been given and descriptions of each. Apparently the local pet shop owner is expecting us and has all we will need put to one side. 

The house number reminded me of the previous owners of our first house who took the nameplate with them.  We never bothered replacing it, but I always wondered if they were going to call their next house the same thing or just wanted it for sentimental reasons.  

Back in the 1980s I met someone who kept buying properties in the same village, living in them and either extending then splitting them into two or building a new property in the garden and moving into it. He took the same house name with him from house to house, which must have been very confusing for any regular postman!

Murphybear

GDB2222 said:

Hopefully, they will pick up their stuff. However, if they don’t, you need to be extremely careful about disposing of it, as you said some of it is quite valuable. 

This link explains more, although it is aimed more at social landlords.
https://www.shoosmiths.co.uk/insights/articles/disposal-goods-tenancy-terminated-abandoned-property-8270

I am sure that you would not just take it to the dump, anyway.

Shoosmiths is one of the country’s leading authorities on tenant/landlord law.  

Bendy_House

The time capsule issue is a tricky one. It - again - demonstrates and reinforces their connection with that house; in their deluded minds they envisage a time when it's unearthed and all the conversations will revolve around them and their house.

It doesn't make rational sense other than with that 'tie'. If they wanted to leave a true time-capsule, so's a future person could get a personal glimpse of life in the second millennium, then it could be stuffed in the ground anywhere. I think it's pretty clear that isn't their prompt, it's all about them and that bludy house!

It's obsessive to a worrying degree.

I would lay odds that either they, or the sis next door (they don't all have to be woozy, of course), will at some point ask about the time capsule, and will also ask/expect to be shown where you buried it. So, if you DO bury it as requested, then you'll have a hell of a job fobbing them off from coming in; I mean, if you've gone as far as doing that task, then why shouldn't you let them in to view and pay homage...?! If, instead, you - er - dump it, then you are going to have to tell a big fat porkie at some point, and I just don't think that's going to be at all comfortable for you.

So... what's you gonna do?! :-)

Abbafan1972

I don't think the time capsule thing is tricky at all.  They don't have to bury it at all, it's not this couple's house or garden anymore!

Bendy_House

(Shhhh, but since mum in law moved out, she's wanted to start afresh with letting her new contact details out only to selected folk, and definitely not to some. One 'some' has been turning up at our house, asking after her, and it's bludy awkward. So far, I've spinelessly played the "I've just had Covid card..." (true-ish, but a good few weeks past), and I'm dreading the next visit.

Ideas on a postcard, please :-(  )

GDB2222

SavingPennies_2 said:

CasaCroft8 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

GDB2222 said:

I would just bury the time capsule, as requested. Why not?

Aye I’d bury it too, in the bin

Me too. Sod that. I'd chuck that straight In after opening it and having a laugh. I'd also email back and say I'm not giving you a figure I was just trying to be polite.

Whilst the behaviour is eccentric and I feel for the OP, there is no need to be intentionally cruel.

I agree. I'm astounded at some of the responses. 

bouicca21

The Time Capsule goes with the other property for them to collect.  No need to lie or obfuscate.  Just no, we are not burying it on OUR property.

youth_leader

I've just remembered the 2000 photo of our kids we put under the new stair carpet for 'future generations' to find.  

GDB2222

bouicca21 said:

The Time Capsule goes with the other property for them to collect.  No need to lie or obfuscate.  Just no, we are not burying it on OUR property.

I’m still perplexed. It takes a couple of minutes to dig a hole, and bury a box, and that makes a couple of old folks happy. What is the downside to doing that?

Sure, they are acting a bit oddly, but it all seems harmless. 

bouicca21

The downside is that it preserves a connection between them and the house.