Would this be a red flag to you?

Titus_Wadd

OP, you could you knock on next-door, introduce yourself as possibly their new neighbour.  No heavy interrogation, but you might get a feel for how reasonable they might be in any future "negotiations".  Depending on how the conversation goes, I'd mention that your Dad (insert any other family figure) is concerned about security, your pet rabbit escaping etc and wants you to put a fence between the gardens...gauge their response.

The position of the vendor isn't going to affect your house once it's yours, but the neighbours' position will.  I've found this very useful in the past.  You don't need to share what you already know or have deduced, just ask them about the area and folk love to talk, especially about themselves.  Once folk start talking, they leak info.  Plus it's cheaper than a solicitor's hourly rate.

If the buildings have been there years, the LPA is unlikely to enforce, but in their current state they sound like eyesores.

ThisIsWeird

MikeJXE said:

ThisIsWeird said:

lisyloo said:

ThisIsWeird said:

I'd be guided by your conveyancer - ask them the relevant Q's, and make sure you have a note of their answers.

This wouldn't 'put me off', and I'd more likely be considering how I could use these buildings, unless they are an eyesore or take up too much space.

Quite possibly the vendor is being 'evasive' because they knew they didn't comply with Planning, and also perhaps that's why it's now missing it's roof - there are height restrictions to what you can do in your garden, and possibly planning got involved and told them to reduce it. Who knows! But, it largely doesn't matter - you will be responsible for what's on your side, and your neighb for theirs. If you want to restore them as useful outbuildings, then do so, whilst keeping within regs. If you'd rather remove them, then factor in the cost of doing this, whilst preventing damage to the neighb's. (Or do it together).

It isn't a 'problem' in itself, as far as I can see; lots of folks have constructions and outbuildings on their land, in various states of repair!

Also, the vendor does not have to do anything about them - it's up to the buyer to negotiate if they think they can, but on what basis this would be, I don't know.  

As soon as your conveyancer gets sight of the deeds, see if there any restrictions on the fences that can be put up.

These outbuildings are owned by the neighbours.

My understanding is that the buildings are in Claire's future garden, but are matched by similar in the neighb's one? IE, the unfenced boundary passes through them.

Not seen the layout but it sounds similar to my sons old property.

A centre terrace with a building down the garden built across the boundary, each neighbour owning their half. His fence was down the centre 

I guess they could have been the wash house or outside loo

Looks like a pretty new build. But, of course, you cannae see the pics :-tongue sticking oot.

ThisIsWeird

Claire, I don't think these outbuildings are a 'problem', unless you wish to get rid of them - then you'd have the cost of doing this, which could certainly be a couple of £k or more.

Or, if you wish to do them up and use them, then there's the cost of that work - whilst keeping them within reg height.

But you ain't going to be carted off to gaol or nuffink.

lisyloo

ThisIsWeird said:

Claire, I don't think these outbuildings are a 'problem', unless you wish to get rid of them - then you'd have the cost of doing this, which could certainly be a couple of £k or more.

Or, if you wish to do them up and use them, then there's the cost of that work - whilst keeping them within reg height.

But you ain't going to be carted off to gaol or nuffink.

So what happens in they are neglected and a tile hits a passer by in the head in a storm?
Will insurance cover them? Will it stop the OP getting insurance?
What about the crack den I mentioned?

Ok I'm playing devil's advocate here, but one should be somewhat risk averse and check out all the issues when making this level of purchasing commitment.

ThisIsWeird

lisyloo said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Claire, I don't think these outbuildings are a 'problem', unless you wish to get rid of them - then you'd have the cost of doing this, which could certainly be a couple of £k or more.

Or, if you wish to do them up and use them, then there's the cost of that work - whilst keeping them within reg height.

But you ain't going to be carted off to gaol or nuffink.

So what happens in they are neglected and a tile hits a passer by in the head in a storm?
Will insurance cover them? Will it stop the OP getting insurance?
What about the crack den I mentioned?

Ok I'm playing devil's advocate here, but one should be somewhat risk averse and check out all the issues when making this level of purchasing commitment.

Absolutely - if any part of your property comes loose and causes damage, your insurance may be called on. And you could also be considered personally 'liable' if you reasonably knew about the poor condition, and did nothing about it.

So I'd suggest that Clair needs to consider what use she may, or may not, wish to make of these outbuildings. There will be a cost either way, quite likely more if it's to be removed.

It's not for the vendor to sort, unless they want or need to. It may be a bargaining tool, but hard to know what value to place on it. And, as always, the vendor can say 'non'.

lisyloo

I'm a seller right now.
If someone tells me to get rid of something and it's an eyesore and likely to be an issue for all sellers, then I'd probably just do it.
I'd certainly have to think about it if it was expensive or something other sellers may see of value, but I think the majority of sellers would rather fix it and control the costs rather than have their offer knocked down, especially if it's likely to be an issue with every seller. There are of course exceptions with remote or elderly buyers who don't have the time in which case a lower offer may be in order.

This case is a bit different as someone might actually want the buildings.

The only way to find out is to engage with the seller and neighbours.

Of course the vendor can say no. Once has to approach these negotiations knowing that either side can walk away at any time if the arrangement doesn't suit.

personally if I wanted them gone, I'd want it done prior to completion rather than take any risks of doing it afterwards, but everything has a price...........

kazwookie

I would strongly be suggesting to the vendor that if nothing else a boundry fence is marked out with fence posts and wire to show a hard boundry, ito show what belongs to which garden to save any other disputes.

Then as others have given lots of advise sort out the buildings

GDB2222

lisyloo said:

I'm a seller right now.
If someone tells me to get rid of something and it's an eyesore and likely to be an issue for all sellers, then I'd probably just do it.
I'd certainly have to think about it if it was expensive or something other sellers may see of value, but I think the majority of sellers would rather fix it and control the costs rather than have their offer knocked down, especially if it's likely to be an issue with every seller. There are of course exceptions with remote or elderly buyers who don't have the time in which case a lower offer may be in order.

This case is a bit different as someone might actually want the buildings.

The only way to find out is to engage with the seller and neighbours.

Of course the vendor can say no. Once has to approach these negotiations knowing that either side can walk away at any time if the arrangement doesn't suit.

personally if I wanted them gone, I'd want it done prior to completion rather than take any risks of doing it afterwards, but everything has a price...........

I think that’s a personal choice. Others would prefer to get a reduced price. I have not seen the photos but the demolition might be a DIY project for some people.

Claire89_

Hello, thank you for all the comments and advice. Very much appreciated. 

The buildings are not in a state where they would cause anyone any harm and I would be in no immediate rush to decide what to do with them. They look to have been built in 2020. 

The seller did mention the price has been reduced to take into account the work needed in the garden.

Good point about getting the boundaries marked out for the fence! 

Dustyevsky

Getting a fence in and agreed seems vital. If the outbuildings are in a good state of repair, but uninhabitable, I don't see a problem. Presumably, if a fence line is agreed and the buildings are open to each other inside, it's a case of following that agreed line with a partition . The speed of doing that would depend on what you learn 1:1 about the neighbours; people should always check them out regardless of other considerations!