Previous owner asking to buy back property!

Bendy_House

JuanBallOfWimbledon said:

Thanks for all the replies, I’m glad it’s not just me and this is actually as crazy as it feels. Today I sent emails (with hard copies in the post too), one stating that we spent a very long time searching for a house, and explaining how stressful and costly it was. That we don’t want to sell, but should that ever change, we’ll let them know. One stating that we can’t store their property indefinitely, that if it's not been collected by next Friday evening, we’ll have to dispose of it all.

The truth is, as things stand we fully intend this to be the only home we ever buy, we’re getting on and bought this with a view to it being our ‘forever home’. Obviously things change and I know this may not always be the case, but for right now, we’ve no intention of going through that process ever again. 

We received a reply stating that they understand, but do we have a rough idea of how long we intend to stay? So I clearly should have been more explicit and made it clear that we have no intention of moving in the future. They did however say someone will be round sunday afternoon to collect their things. Apparently this is a family member who lives locally, so I’m a bit annoyed that this wasn’t done sooner, but hey ho, at least it’ll be gone (well, if they actually show).

To those asking about other odd things, it’s all small stuff that mightn’t seem all that odd to anyone else. But when it’s one thing after another, it starts to get a bit surreal. A few examples:

*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). 

*The keys had a photo keyring of them swimming with dolphins attached. 

*They appear to have removed and taken all doorknobs. My wife commented on our last viewing that she’d not seen a doorknob in years and everyone seems to have handles now, but that it was nice and nostalgic. They were nothing special - just painted wooden ones, but all are gone. We’d have changed to handles anyway as my wife has arthritis in her hands, but still. 

*They left a small biscuit-type tin filled with random things, with a note asking us to bury their time capsule under the horse chestnut tree at the bottom of the garden. 

*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. 

Like I said, it probably sounds like I’m being a bit petty and picking up on silly things, but honestly, we keep finding new notes and requests etc. We even found one in the small, old wood burner in the conservatory yesterday. Just a piece of paper saying ‘I was installed in 2006’. I’m starting to genuinely wonder if they’re on a wind up, but they seem a sweet couple, I’d guess in their mid 60’s. I’m fairly sleep deprived too, maybe I’m losing my marbles. 

I doubt there's anything sinister in their intentions, but - man - they are off-the-scale obsessive about 'their' house. There have been a few threads on here about new owners finding that the vendors make excuses to come back time and time again - "Any mail...?" "Are you settling in ok...?".

These folk haven't got a handle on what's socially acceptable, but yours is on another planet :-)  Are you saying that the new name plate had THEIR name on it?!

The issue is compounded by you being on the other end of the 'spectrum'! You are clearly an uber-empathetic person, being very concerned about how to reply to them, and not cause upset. I fear they will take advantage of this - as they have already done to your first letter; any remotely grey area, and they will detect 'hope' in this. I really doubt they will let go easily, but will find ways and excuses for either themselves or their relatives to visit, on ostensibly 'helpful' grounds. I really doubt they are being malicious in any way, but they are obsessed with their entitlement - ie their empathy 'module' is defective. They really 'believe' they are normal in this, as is their behaviour and expectations.

If they actually changed the nameplate to their name, that's a major alarm bell. That's woooooooo...

You may find this a bit hard to do as you are so considerate, but I strongly suggest you put some distance between you and anyone to do with that family. Matter-of-fact when they arrive to collect the stuff, keep conversation to a minimum, discuss nothing personal or to do with the house, say nothing about your plans for the place, give monosyllabic answers, emphasise you have things to do, do your damnedest to prevent them from exploring further like into your garden (have some excuses ready), and just - without being actually rude - cut the contact time to a bare minimum. But do, by all means, say that you love the place, and it will be your 'forever' home.

Distance... :-)

bouicca21

@savingpannies_2 and @woolsery
i can’t tell one squirrel/parakeet/great tit/blue tit/goldfinch /wood pigeon from another.  Last year I could recognise one of the squirrels because his/her tail was so sparse, but not seen that one for months.  I could probably assume that it’s the same woodpecker every time, but that’s about it! Pretty sure it’s a different robin every year, verdict not in on the blackbirds.  And this year the wren (or is it wrens?) is far more visible than in previous years so probably a new one.

Bendy_House

Woolsery said:

bouicca21 said:

If I ever write a novel it will feature a character who names the garden wildlife.  Not sure whether this will be a batty old lady or a batty but sinister old man - and that’s just making me worry about being sexist.

Sometimes wild or semi-wild animals have very strong characters. If they do, they tend to get names. Last winter we had a male pheasant here that attacked everything: people, cars, tractors, horses..... he wasn't scared of anything. One day when he was standing in my way, swearing, I picked him up, looked him in the face and told him straight, "You are a very naughty pheasant!"

Somehow people started calling Mr Pheasant 'Dylan.' I have no idea why. The only Dylans that come to mind are Bob and that laid-back rabbit onthe Magic Roundabout. Something like Arnie or VanDamme would have been more appropriate.

Sadly, a life of aggression led Dylan into some kind of accident with a vehicle, but he was found still pecking away cheerfully at the side of the road; just unable to chase anyone. However, the story ends happily; he was taken by one of his human admirers to the Hen Welfare Trust where he eventually recovered. I've no idea where they released him, but if you're having bother with a pheasant with atitude.....

At the lovely Cricket St Thomas wildlife park many moons ago, we got off its wee choo-choo to be greeted by a belligerent cockerel. I thought it was being friendly as it approached, but it jumped up to knee height and kicked se7en bells out of my shins. The pain...

It wouldn't give up, so we had to jump back on the train. At least, I did - everyone else seemed to find it funny.

Tahlullah.H

I am loving this thread.  I haven't laughed like this over nonsense for a while.  Thank you all!

Woolsery

Bendy, we've had cockerels too and carry a stick when they get to a certain age, but then there's Christmas! And no, they don't get names.

Woolsery

Bendy_House said:

JuanBallOfWimbledon said:

Thanks for all the replies, I’m glad it’s not just me and this is actually as crazy as it feels. Today I sent emails (with hard copies in the post too), one stating that we spent a very long time searching for a house, and explaining how stressful and costly it was. That we don’t want to sell, but should that ever change, we’ll let them know. One stating that we can’t store their property indefinitely, that if it's not been collected by next Friday evening, we’ll have to dispose of it all.

The truth is, as things stand we fully intend this to be the only home we ever buy, we’re getting on and bought this with a view to it being our ‘forever home’. Obviously things change and I know this may not always be the case, but for right now, we’ve no intention of going through that process ever again. 

We received a reply stating that they understand, but do we have a rough idea of how long we intend to stay? So I clearly should have been more explicit and made it clear that we have no intention of moving in the future. They did however say someone will be round sunday afternoon to collect their things. Apparently this is a family member who lives locally, so I’m a bit annoyed that this wasn’t done sooner, but hey ho, at least it’ll be gone (well, if they actually show).

To those asking about other odd things, it’s all small stuff that mightn’t seem all that odd to anyone else. But when it’s one thing after another, it starts to get a bit surreal. A few examples:

*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). 

*The keys had a photo keyring of them swimming with dolphins attached. 

*They appear to have removed and taken all doorknobs. My wife commented on our last viewing that she’d not seen a doorknob in years and everyone seems to have handles now, but that it was nice and nostalgic. They were nothing special - just painted wooden ones, but all are gone. We’d have changed to handles anyway as my wife has arthritis in her hands, but still. 

*They left a small biscuit-type tin filled with random things, with a note asking us to bury their time capsule under the horse chestnut tree at the bottom of the garden. 

*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. 

Like I said, it probably sounds like I’m being a bit petty and picking up on silly things, but honestly, we keep finding new notes and requests etc. We even found one in the small, old wood burner in the conservatory yesterday. Just a piece of paper saying ‘I was installed in 2006’. I’m starting to genuinely wonder if they’re on a wind up, but they seem a sweet couple, I’d guess in their mid 60’s. I’m fairly sleep deprived too, maybe I’m losing my marbles. 

These folk haven't got a handle on what's socially acceptable, but yours is on another planet :-)  Are you saying that the new name plate had THEIR name on it?!

Like a blue plaque, only cheaper. Very MSE!

Section62

Bendy_House said:

You may find this a bit hard to do as you are so considerate, but I strongly suggest you put some distance between you and anyone to do with that family.....

Distance... :-)

....This will be a tad tricky with the sister living next door.

SavingPennies_2

bouicca21 said:

@savingpannies_2 and @woolsery
i can’t tell one squirrel/parakeet/great tit/blue tit/goldfinch /wood pigeon from another.  Last year I could recognise one of the squirrels because his/her tail was so sparse, but not seen that one for months.  I could probably assume that it’s the same woodpecker every time, but that’s about it! Pretty sure it’s a different robin every year, verdict not in on the blackbirds.  And this year the wren (or is it wrens?) is far more visible than in previous years so probably a new one.

Yeah..I know a lot of the time it's probably not the *same* one, but it amuses me to imagine it might be and give them a name. Perhaps I am odd too, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Abbafan1972

These people sound so creepy and changing the name plate as well to their name.

I would definitely give them the time capsule tin back - you are not obliged to bury it anywhere!

Unfortunately, you have left the door open for them by saying you'd let them know if ever you'd sell.  I'm sure they will harass you - they have already asked how long you are expecting to stay there. 

They don't sound right in the head. 

GDB2222

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.