Neighbouring garden putting off buyers

GixerKate

Unfortunately its not always possible to get on with the neighbours and it sounds like these just don't want to garden and are using 'rewilding' as an excuse.

Without seeing any pics, I would tidy up everything that goes over the boundary into your garden and report to the council anything that is creeping over onto the pavement and just see what happens with potential buyers.

When we sold our last house our wonderful neighbours were storing dishwashers, washing machines, piles of tyres etc in their front and back gardens and yes a few people were put off but we still had plenty of interested buyers.

johnhenstock

It’s not the neighbouring garden that’s the reason you’re not selling and for some reason no one is saying it. You’re not even getting viewings.

housebuyer143

johnhenstock said:

It’s not the neighbouring garden that’s the reason you’re not selling and for some reason no one is saying it. You’re not even getting viewings.

I wouldn't be so sure. It's not hard for someone to drive by or street view the house and be put off. I personally wouldn't view the house is the neighbours house looked unkept etc, it gives some people a bad feeling about the neighbours. 

johnhenstock

housebuyer143 said:

johnhenstock said:

It’s not the neighbouring garden that’s the reason you’re not selling and for some reason no one is saying it. You’re not even getting viewings.

I wouldn't be so sure. It's not hard for someone to drive by or street view the house and be put off. I personally wouldn't view the house is the neighbours house looked unkept etc, it gives some people a bad feeling about the neighbours. 

Properties are sold on a daily basis, some next to delapidated properties, overgrown gardens and dodgy estates.

again, the issue is not the neighbour’s garden, but most likely the price.

subjecttocontract

I agree......

naf123

You could always sell at auction ?

Dustyevsky

To an extent, it's luck of the draw. At our last house, we had to reduce the price to get sold because of several factors, including scruffy (but nice) neighbours.

Our current property has some problems, but thanks to external factors, again not under our control, it's been, in theory, a good investment. It's also doing fine as a home, so we're not selling, especially now.

The way people think nowadays tends to be emotional. Perhaps not the extreme “It's so unfair!” of  Harry Enfield's Kevin, but a more underlying sense of injustice. Put that aside. Ask yourself what do you really want. If it's to get sold quickly, do what's necessary.

Gavin83

johnhenstock said:

housebuyer143 said:

johnhenstock said:

It’s not the neighbouring garden that’s the reason you’re not selling and for some reason no one is saying it. You’re not even getting viewings.

I wouldn't be so sure. It's not hard for someone to drive by or street view the house and be put off. I personally wouldn't view the house is the neighbours house looked unkept etc, it gives some people a bad feeling about the neighbours. 

Properties are sold on a daily basis, some next to delapidated properties, overgrown gardens and dodgy estates.

again, the issue is not the neighbour’s garden, but most likely the price.

In all honesty you're both correct.

Ultimately any house will sell if it is set at the right price. However if there are issues that price will need to be lower. A house with sketchy neighbours will sell for less than a house with perfect neighbours. So while the OP can drop the price and sell they are almost certainly losing money due to their neighbours. It's sensible advice to offer to pay to clean up the neighbours garden as you'll almost certainly make more than that back on the house.

I also agree with housebuyer143, I would go and visit the street or look it up on google maps before I viewed the house. If it was located next to a really run down house that would certainly put me off. I might still buy it but I'd expect to pay less than if it was next to a lovely looking house.

Dustyevsky

Gavin83 said:

johnhenstock said:

housebuyer143 said:

johnhenstock said:

It’s not the neighbouring garden that’s the reason you’re not selling and for some reason no one is saying it. You’re not even getting viewings.

I wouldn't be so sure. It's not hard for someone to drive by or street view the house and be put off. I personally wouldn't view the house is the neighbours house looked unkept etc, it gives some people a bad feeling about the neighbours. 

Properties are sold on a daily basis, some next to delapidated properties, overgrown gardens and dodgy estates.

again, the issue is not the neighbour’s garden, but most likely the price.

A house with sketchy neighbours will sell for less than a house with perfect neighbours.

Even though people with immaculate front lawns, regimented lines of annuals and the most ostentatious gates are often a nightmare, with time on their hands to be one!

KerrBearrxo

You have a legal right under common law to cut any overhanging branches/trees/hedges/plants etc back to your boundary line however, that is it. You have no legal right to tell neighbor how they should maintain their garden (as annoying as that is). However, if they are a tenant of a Council house/Social Housing they will have Tenancy Agreements in place which will often cover garden maintenance and that they should keep their garden to a satisfactory standard. If they are a tenant, you can report them to their landlord as an option.

Unfortunately, if they are an owner and unwilling to tidy their garden, your only option would be your Local Council. They are unlikely to get involved unless the overgrowth is causing rodents/rats etc. If its just an overgrown garden its unlikely they will do anything but its always worth a try. However it could be worth them visiting to inspect the property to see if noxious waste is outside amongst the overgrowth etc. You could use this and go down that route.

'Wild' gardens are being promoted currently, whilst I agree with it in part I think some people have taken this too far and are using as an excuse to be lazy.