Previous owner asking to buy back property!

canaldumidi

Woolsery said:

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!

My dad has designed his blue plaque and left instructions with his will on how to apply to have it officially attached to his house. Hates his neighbour and thinks it will wind him up!

canaldumidi

Section62 said:

JuanBallOfWimbledon said:

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. 

If you find a Tesco bag for life anywhere I'd strongly advise not opening it.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2636903/updated-its-done-our-buyer-wants-to-bury-their-dead-dog-in-our-garden/p1

GDB2222

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

Skiddaw1

GDB2222 said:

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

To me, it feels manipulative. As I say, if you're going to bury a time capsule, why would you expect the people buying your house to do it? Why not bury it before you move out? It's clearly a personal thing. As with many of the incidents described by @JuanBallOfWimbledon it seems to me to cross the boundary between mildly eccentric and properly creepy. I'd have nothing to do with it personally.

Martin_the_Unjust

GDB2222 said:

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

Aye I’d bury it too, in the bin

CasaCroft8

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.

SavingPennies_2

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.

SaintJudy

I think the note regarding the wildlife is actually pretty nice, I would make an effort to keep that up if it was me. Having wildlife attracted to and active in your garden is one of the pleasures of life

youth_leader

We had swallows and an owl living in our coal house for twenty years, unfortunately I can see the new owners have the door closed now. 

cymruchris

Make sure you take the sign down with their name on it before they come to collect their stuff - and ask them do they want it as they're about to leave....