HOUSE SELLER LYING ABOUT LAND OWNERSHIP

Tulips2lips

I'm still searching for a new property and encountering one problem after another with the latest being that a house seller on a private road of 8 houses, theirs being the last one on the cul de sac have told me they own half of the road that runs from their drive across the front of next door when they are infact the only house that doesn't own any part of the road.  Each house owns the section of road Infront and has an easement over the remainder.  The seller has lived in the house for 8 years and it's taken them until now to look at their title plan!  I'm unsure whether to proceed as there is now a dispute between them and their neighbour as they've paid half to block pave the surface.  They are all responsible for repairs but the seller is saying they have been conned when as far as I can see they willingly paid for block paving due to not checking land ownership.  Should I back out, is this likely to be a problem?  Thanks in advance.

user1977

You've posted this on the Insurance board...

But anyway, it's difficult to understand what the problem is from your description? Is there actually any problem with the access rights for the property? Or is the "problem" only that the sellers have paid for something which they now regret? What's your solicitor's advice? 

Tulips2lips

@user1977, Sorry I posted in wrong place.  There is no problem with access but the seller is now threatening to take legal action as they believe they've been conned into paying for something they shouldn't have paid for.  I wonder if I should back out before it gets messy?

user1977

Tulips2lips said:

@user1977, Sorry I posted in wrong place.  There is no problem with access but the seller is now threatening to take legal action as they believe they've been conned into paying for something they shouldn't have paid for.  I wonder if I should back out before it gets messy?

If the seller wants to sue the neighbour, that's up to them. I don't see why it need involve you.

HampshireH

Can't see why the dispute between your seller and their current neighbour would be your issue.

However I'd they are all responsible for maintenance then surely part of that could indeed be replacement of the block paving.

As long as you know your obligations going forward 

Tulips2lips

HampshireH said:

Can't see why the dispute between your seller and their current neighbour would be your issue.

However I'd they are all responsible for maintenance then surely part of that could indeed be replacement of the block paving.

As long as you know your obligations going forward 

Thanks.  The rest of the road is tarmac so the seller and neighbour chose block paving.

YBR

Personally, I wouldn't want to move into that house with this bitterness going on.

Unless I'd absolutely fallen in love with the property, I'd choose to move on in that situation, however, that's a very personal decision.

Keep_pedalling

I can’t see how this is a problem for you, the despite is purely a financial one between two people, unlike a boundary or a noisy neighbour dispute you are not going to inherit the problem. 

TELLIT01

I would have thought a dispute about a property boundary, and repair responsibility for the OP should they purchase, is absolutely something to be concerned about.

user1977

TELLIT01 said:

I would have thought a dispute about a property boundary, and repair responsibility for the OP should they purchase, is absolutely something to be concerned about.

It doesn't sound like a dispute though, just the seller has now realised they were incorrect.