Duped by House Sales Direct / We Buy Any House

zenmoomin

Hi everyone, I recently decided to sell my house as I have a neighbour who has been harassing me for 6 years and I just can't take any more. Traditional agents valued the house and said I would need to immediately declare the issues and that this would put a lot of people off. I then looked into house buying companies, as I know they are used by investors and people who are doing 'buy to let' so would not necessarily be put off by a problem neighbour. 
I spoke to We Buy Any House (WBAH) who offered me a cash price which was £140k under the value of my home, which I immediately informed them I was not interested in. They stated there was a second option with a company called House Sales Direct (HSD) who would get a valuation on my property and agreed a price they thought they could achieve and that I would agree this before putting on the market. The only reason I decided to go with this company is that they stated most of their buyers were investors and would not care about the neighbour, and that they take a large deposit from the buyer, meaning they won't pull out of the sale. They assured me a sale within 21 days and completion within 8 weeks. This all sounded great.
I read and re read the contract which was somewhat complicated, but it clearly stated there was an option to terminate the contract, so I knew I could get out of it, and was prepared to pay the termination fee.

2 weeks on, buyers started viewing my house, and I started getting regular calls from HSD stating they weren't going to be able to get me a sale within our agreed price range and that people were cancelling their appointments to view. They bullied me over the phone, lied about everything and were so aggressive that I hung up on them.

Fast forward a few days and they phoned me up to say HSD were going to buy my house for the agreed price and asked me to sign a form accepting the offer. They said I could withdraw my acceptance of the offer at any time before exchange of contracts just like a normal agent. So I signed the form and was excited to be moving, albeit I was taking a low price for my property.

That same evening, a lady knocked on my door and told me that they were due to have a second viewing of my property and that HSD had cancelled it, despite them offering a cash price of £15k over the price that HSD had offered me.

To my horror I read numerous reviews about these unscrupulous people who take advantage of people and practically bully them out of their properties. HSD told me I had breached my contract by speaking to the buyer, they told me they had put a restriction on my property on the land registry that would mean I could not sell my house to anyone except them, and that this would remain FOREVER. They said I had no right to terminate the contract and that they would proceed with purchasing my property whether I liked it or not.

I am waiting for some legal advice, but I would be really interested to know if anyone else has been caught out by these people or has any advice for me.

sammyjammy

Have you actually checked to see if they have put a restriction on your property?  Seems unlikely.  Your house will sell at the right price, neighbours or no neighbours.

user1977

sammyjammy said:

Have you actually checked to see if they have put a restriction on your property?  Seems unlikely. 

Why unlikely? Worth checking, yes, but it's been discussed here before (and referenced on this web page by the "reputable" buyers):

Avoid & Spot "We Buy Any House" scams, what to trust & FAQ - The National Association of Property Buyers

Unfortunately the time to get legal advice was before signing a contract.

penners324

Why are you telling estate agents about your neighbour? Or even telling this we buy any house people?

Unless there's a legal dispute don't even mention it.

ReadySteadyPop

sammyjammy said:

Have you actually checked to see if they have put a restriction on your property?  Seems unlikely.  Your house will sell at the right price, neighbours or no neighbours.

Exactly, price it low enough and it will be snapped up by a landlord, landlords are still buying despite what the media say.

penners324

zenmoomin said:

Hi everyone, I recently decided to sell my house as I have a neighbour who has been harassing me for 6 years and I just can't take any more. Traditional agents valued the house and said I would need to immediately declare the issues and that this would put a lot of people off. I then looked into house buying companies, as I know they are used by investors and people who are doing 'buy to let' so would not necessarily be put off by a problem neighbour. 
I spoke to We Buy Any House (WBAH) who offered me a cash price which was £140k under the value of my home, which I immediately informed them I was not interested in. They stated there was a second option with a company called House Sales Direct (HSD) who would get a valuation on my property and agreed a price they thought they could achieve and that I would agree this before putting on the market. The only reason I decided to go with this company is that they stated most of their buyers were investors and would not care about the neighbour, and that they take a large deposit from the buyer, meaning they won't pull out of the sale. They assured me a sale within 21 days and completion within 8 weeks. This all sounded great.
I read and re read the contract which was somewhat complicated, but it clearly stated there was an option to terminate the contract, so I knew I could get out of it, and was prepared to pay the termination fee.

2 weeks on, buyers started viewing my house, and I started getting regular calls from HSD stating they weren't going to be able to get me a sale within our agreed price range and that people were cancelling their appointments to view. They bullied me over the phone, lied about everything and were so aggressive that I hung up on them.

Fast forward a few days and they phoned me up to say HSD were going to buy my house for the agreed price and asked me to sign a form accepting the offer. They said I could withdraw my acceptance of the offer at any time before exchange of contracts just like a normal agent. So I signed the form and was excited to be moving, albeit I was taking a low price for my property.

That same evening, a lady knocked on my door and told me that they were due to have a second viewing of my property and that HSD had cancelled it, despite them offering a cash price of £15k over the price that HSD had offered me.

To my horror I read numerous reviews about these unscrupulous people who take advantage of people and practically bully them out of their properties. HSD told me I had breached my contract by speaking to the buyer, they told me they had put a restriction on my property on the land registry that would mean I could not sell my house to anyone except them, and that this would remain FOREVER. They said I had no right to terminate the contract and that they would proceed with purchasing my property whether I liked it or not.

I am waiting for some legal advice, but I would be really interested to know if anyone else has been caught out by these people or has any advice for me.

Have you checked the Land Registry for that 'restriction'?

If they have report it the Land Registry as Fraudulent

jimbog

penners324 said:

zenmoomin said:

Hi everyone, I recently decided to sell my house as I have a neighbour who has been harassing me for 6 years and I just can't take any more. Traditional agents valued the house and said I would need to immediately declare the issues and that this would put a lot of people off. I then looked into house buying companies, as I know they are used by investors and people who are doing 'buy to let' so would not necessarily be put off by a problem neighbour. 
I spoke to We Buy Any House (WBAH) who offered me a cash price which was £140k under the value of my home, which I immediately informed them I was not interested in. They stated there was a second option with a company called House Sales Direct (HSD) who would get a valuation on my property and agreed a price they thought they could achieve and that I would agree this before putting on the market. The only reason I decided to go with this company is that they stated most of their buyers were investors and would not care about the neighbour, and that they take a large deposit from the buyer, meaning they won't pull out of the sale. They assured me a sale within 21 days and completion within 8 weeks. This all sounded great.
I read and re read the contract which was somewhat complicated, but it clearly stated there was an option to terminate the contract, so I knew I could get out of it, and was prepared to pay the termination fee.

2 weeks on, buyers started viewing my house, and I started getting regular calls from HSD stating they weren't going to be able to get me a sale within our agreed price range and that people were cancelling their appointments to view. They bullied me over the phone, lied about everything and were so aggressive that I hung up on them.

Fast forward a few days and they phoned me up to say HSD were going to buy my house for the agreed price and asked me to sign a form accepting the offer. They said I could withdraw my acceptance of the offer at any time before exchange of contracts just like a normal agent. So I signed the form and was excited to be moving, albeit I was taking a low price for my property.

That same evening, a lady knocked on my door and told me that they were due to have a second viewing of my property and that HSD had cancelled it, despite them offering a cash price of £15k over the price that HSD had offered me.

To my horror I read numerous reviews about these unscrupulous people who take advantage of people and practically bully them out of their properties. HSD told me I had breached my contract by speaking to the buyer, they told me they had put a restriction on my property on the land registry that would mean I could not sell my house to anyone except them, and that this would remain FOREVER. They said I had no right to terminate the contract and that they would proceed with purchasing my property whether I liked it or not.

I am waiting for some legal advice, but I would be really interested to know if anyone else has been caught out by these people or has any advice for me.

Have you checked the Land Registry for that 'restriction'?

If they have report it the Land Registry as Fraudulent

https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

RHemmings

jimbog said:

penners324 said:

zenmoomin said:

Hi everyone, I recently decided to sell my house as I have a neighbour who has been harassing me for 6 years and I just can't take any more. Traditional agents valued the house and said I would need to immediately declare the issues and that this would put a lot of people off. I then looked into house buying companies, as I know they are used by investors and people who are doing 'buy to let' so would not necessarily be put off by a problem neighbour. 
I spoke to We Buy Any House (WBAH) who offered me a cash price which was £140k under the value of my home, which I immediately informed them I was not interested in. They stated there was a second option with a company called House Sales Direct (HSD) who would get a valuation on my property and agreed a price they thought they could achieve and that I would agree this before putting on the market. The only reason I decided to go with this company is that they stated most of their buyers were investors and would not care about the neighbour, and that they take a large deposit from the buyer, meaning they won't pull out of the sale. They assured me a sale within 21 days and completion within 8 weeks. This all sounded great.
I read and re read the contract which was somewhat complicated, but it clearly stated there was an option to terminate the contract, so I knew I could get out of it, and was prepared to pay the termination fee.

2 weeks on, buyers started viewing my house, and I started getting regular calls from HSD stating they weren't going to be able to get me a sale within our agreed price range and that people were cancelling their appointments to view. They bullied me over the phone, lied about everything and were so aggressive that I hung up on them.

Fast forward a few days and they phoned me up to say HSD were going to buy my house for the agreed price and asked me to sign a form accepting the offer. They said I could withdraw my acceptance of the offer at any time before exchange of contracts just like a normal agent. So I signed the form and was excited to be moving, albeit I was taking a low price for my property.

That same evening, a lady knocked on my door and told me that they were due to have a second viewing of my property and that HSD had cancelled it, despite them offering a cash price of £15k over the price that HSD had offered me.

To my horror I read numerous reviews about these unscrupulous people who take advantage of people and practically bully them out of their properties. HSD told me I had breached my contract by speaking to the buyer, they told me they had put a restriction on my property on the land registry that would mean I could not sell my house to anyone except them, and that this would remain FOREVER. They said I had no right to terminate the contract and that they would proceed with purchasing my property whether I liked it or not.

I am waiting for some legal advice, but I would be really interested to know if anyone else has been caught out by these people or has any advice for me.

Have you checked the Land Registry for that 'restriction'?

If they have report it the Land Registry as Fraudulent

https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

If I remember correctly, you can phone the Land Registry and ask them yes/no questions about properties. E.g. whether someone has applied for a restriction on a property. This is based on my memory (which may not be accurate) of a previous post by @Land_Registry

zenmoomin

sammyjammy said:

Have you actually checked to see if they have put a restriction on your property?  Seems unlikely.  Your house will sell at the right price, neighbours or no neighbours.

Yes they have tried to put a restriction on but it is pending. I have informed the land registry and they have put a stop on it and sent it to their legal team. The name of the company applying for the restriction isn't even the same company as the contract I signed. The lady I spoke to at the Land Reg said not to worry, but it still means I can't really sell it while the restriction is pending.

zenmoomin

Yes they have tried to put a restriction on but it is pending. I have informed the land registry and they have put a stop on it and sent it to their legal team. I reported it as a fraud. The name of the company applying for the restriction isn't even the same company as the contract I signed. The lady I spoke to at the Land Reg said not to worry, but it still means I can't really sell it while the restriction is pending. I have set up alerts on the title deed so that if anyone applies for any restrictions it will notify me.

My neighbour has been harassing me and damaging my property for years and I have a restraining order against him. I know I need to declare this legally as the lady who sold me the property did not declare it and I sued her for £40K, so I don't want to get caught in the same trap. Also morally I wouldn't want to put anyone through what I've been through. It's absolute hell. It's been a nightmare from the start.

ChirpyChicken

Oh dear you made a big mistake signing up with such an awful firm