Selling with neighbour dispute

Moby36

Just wondering if anyone has experience of selling a property after making a complaint to the council about a barking dog, and has this affected the sale price?

My situation is a little complicated in that I originally complained to the council, after speaking to the neighbours numerous times, due to the dog suffering from separation anxiety barking. They sent me a letter confirming my complaint and I believe they sent a letter to the neighbours to inform them a complaint had been made against them. To cut a very very long story short, the barking when left alone has thankfully stopped. However, the dog is still prone to barking when in the garden and although this only happens for 3 minutes or so at a time it can be quite frequent throughout the day and can happen anytime between 7am and 10pm. There is a public footpath that runs down the side and back of their garden and the dog barks at anybody using the path. The dog also barks to be let back in, which the owners can be oblivious to for a few minutes.

There’s also numerous random times it starts barking when in the house most recently, any time between 7am and 8pm because it’s wants to go out to do its business. To add to this, she has a new boyfriend who has a dog so even though the original problem has gone, when the garden and random house barking happens it’s 2 dogs!!

We’ve always had a bad relationship mainly due to her horrible nasty husband who she has now kicked out. However, when I’ve tried to approach her since she won’t engage and makes up ridiculous excuses for the dog barking.

So basically, the original source of the complaint has gone, but has been replaced by random bouts of short barking episodes.

I know I have to declare the original complaint but just wondering how to go about approaching the declaration when selling and if anybody has experience of this any possible selling price implications.

MattMattMattUK

Moby36 said:

Just wondering if anyone has experience of selling a property after making a complaint to the council about a barking dog, and has this affected the sale price?

My situation is a little complicated in that I originally complained to the council, after speaking to the neighbours numerous times, due to the dog suffering from separation anxiety barking. They sent me a letter confirming my complaint and I believe they sent a letter to the neighbours to inform them a complaint had been made against them. To cut a very very long story short, the barking when left alone has thankfully stopped. However, the dog is still prone to barking when in the garden and although this only happens for 3 minutes or so at a time it can be quite frequent throughout the day and can happen anytime between 7am and 10pm. There is a public footpath that runs down the side and back of their garden and the dog barks at anybody using the path. The dog also barks to be let back in, which the owners can be oblivious to for a few minutes.

There’s also numerous random times it starts barking when in the house most recently, any time between 7am and 8pm because it’s wants to go out to do its business. To add to this, she has a new boyfriend who has a dog so even though the original problem has gone, when the garden and random house barking happens it’s 2 dogs!!

We’ve always had a bad relationship mainly due to her horrible nasty husband who she has now kicked out. However, when I’ve tried to approach her since she won’t engage and makes up ridiculous excuses for the dog barking.

So basically, the original source of the complaint has gone, but has been replaced by random bouts of short barking episodes.

I know I have to declare the original complaint but just wondering how to go about approaching the declaration when selling and if anybody has experience of this any possible selling price implications.

Surely they will hear the dog barking when viewing?

penners324

Dog sounds well trained. Barking to go out and back in.

I wouldn't worry about telling any viewers about the dog, they'll likely hear it when viewing and most people won't be concerned about it.

housebuyer143

MattMattMattUK said:

Moby36 said:

Just wondering if anyone has experience of selling a property after making a complaint to the council about a barking dog, and has this affected the sale price?

My situation is a little complicated in that I originally complained to the council, after speaking to the neighbours numerous times, due to the dog suffering from separation anxiety barking. They sent me a letter confirming my complaint and I believe they sent a letter to the neighbours to inform them a complaint had been made against them. To cut a very very long story short, the barking when left alone has thankfully stopped. However, the dog is still prone to barking when in the garden and although this only happens for 3 minutes or so at a time it can be quite frequent throughout the day and can happen anytime between 7am and 10pm. There is a public footpath that runs down the side and back of their garden and the dog barks at anybody using the path. The dog also barks to be let back in, which the owners can be oblivious to for a few minutes.

There’s also numerous random times it starts barking when in the house most recently, any time between 7am and 8pm because it’s wants to go out to do its business. To add to this, she has a new boyfriend who has a dog so even though the original problem has gone, when the garden and random house barking happens it’s 2 dogs!!

We’ve always had a bad relationship mainly due to her horrible nasty husband who she has now kicked out. However, when I’ve tried to approach her since she won’t engage and makes up ridiculous excuses for the dog barking.

So basically, the original source of the complaint has gone, but has been replaced by random bouts of short barking episodes.

I know I have to declare the original complaint but just wondering how to go about approaching the declaration when selling and if anybody has experience of this any possible selling price implications.

Surely they will hear the dog barking when viewing?

My friend asked her neighbours to go out when viewings were booked because you could hear the dog barking through the walls (which was a reason she was leaving). So, they might not hear it on a viewing.

jimbog

On the TA6 form I would mention that when the neighbour’s dog was younger it had issues when left alone which you had to report. However it has now grown out of it. 

I wouldn’t add anything else 

WIAWSNB

The issue you complained about has been resolved. It is history. It is no longer a 'dispute' - but S16.1 in the TA6 form is clear that it should be declared*

The current level of barking sounds as tho' it could be considered normal behaviour for a dog. Some folk won't mind it a jot, others may well be very intolerant - but that's down to the individual. But it's not for you to highlight every possible thing that could cause a new owner some bother.

However, if asked about the 'hood during a viewing, I think it would be both correct and prudent to mention that the neighbour's dog does bark occasionally, but that you find it normal and acceptable.

If a potential buyer would find this intolerable, then best they are informed now, I think.

*Section 16: disputes and complaints
Question 16.1
Provide information about any existing disputes or disputes that have arisen in the past. Include the
cause of the dispute (for example, complaints relating to noise), and any action taken to resolve matters,
or the steps taken to end a previous dispute.
Question 16.2
Provide information about anything that could lead to a dispute in the future. This might be something you
are unhappy about but have not yet taken steps to resolve, or that your neighbour may have mentioned
to you about your use of your property.

Dustyevsky

Your original complaint about continuous barking was a dispute and needs reporting. It's historic.

 The short periods of intermittent barking that happen now, aren't troubling you, so don't need to be mentioned.

Albermarle

Dustyevsky said:

Your original complaint about continuous barking was a dispute and needs reporting. It's historic.

 The short periods of intermittent barking that happen now, aren't troubling you, so don't need to be mentioned.

Also with so many Millions of households with a dog, being next to a garden where you can hear a dog bark from time to time would hardly be a unique experience.

pinkshoes

Moby36 said:

Just wondering if anyone has experience of selling a property after making a complaint to the council about a barking dog, and has this affected the sale price?

My situation is a little complicated in that I originally complained to the council, after speaking to the neighbours numerous times, due to the dog suffering from separation anxiety barking. They sent me a letter confirming my complaint and I believe they sent a letter to the neighbours to inform them a complaint had been made against them. To cut a very very long story short, the barking when left alone has thankfully stopped. However, the dog is still prone to barking when in the garden and although this only happens for 3 minutes or so at a time it can be quite frequent throughout the day and can happen anytime between 7am and 10pm. There is a public footpath that runs down the side and back of their garden and the dog barks at anybody using the path. The dog also barks to be let back in, which the owners can be oblivious to for a few minutes.

There’s also numerous random times it starts barking when in the house most recently, any time between 7am and 8pm because it’s wants to go out to do its business. To add to this, she has a new boyfriend who has a dog so even though the original problem has gone, when the garden and random house barking happens it’s 2 dogs!!

We’ve always had a bad relationship mainly due to her horrible nasty husband who she has now kicked out. However, when I’ve tried to approach her since she won’t engage and makes up ridiculous excuses for the dog barking.

So basically, the original source of the complaint has gone, but has been replaced by random bouts of short barking episodes.

I know I have to declare the original complaint but just wondering how to go about approaching the declaration when selling and if anybody has experience of this any possible selling price implications.

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill over this.

Just write down the initial dispute making it clear that it is no longer a problem. The fact you had to go to the council indicates that the neighbour (or you to be fair) could be awkward/difficult. Was it not possible to sort this issue out face to face? Why did the council have to get involved? (that's what potential buyers will no doubt want to know...)

Barking dogs in gardens for a few minutes at a time isn't a problem. It's just life. Ours do it sometimes. 

user1977

I doubt a buyer would assume that barking dogs must have been the subject of a previous complaint - though the risk is that if they do complain to the neighbours and/or council, it's likely to become apparent that you had previously complained, in which case they may then be on the warpath if you didn't mention it on the TA6.

WIAWSNB

I have ammended my previous post as I got the 'historic' thing wrong.

In your case, Moby, I would answer Section 16.1 accurately. It has had a successful conclusion. How long ago did you make the complaint? Add that detail.

Section 16.2 can be left blank as there is nothing, as far as you are concerned, that could lead to a dispute. You might not be totally happy about the remaining barking, but it isn't something you would consider complaining about.

*Section 16: disputes and complaints

Question 16.1
Provide information about any existing disputes or disputes that have arisen in the past. Include the
cause of the dispute (for example, complaints relating to noise), and any action taken to resolve matters,
or the steps taken to end a previous dispute.

Question 16.2
Provide information about anything that could lead to a dispute in the future. This might be something you
are unhappy about but have not yet taken steps to resolve, or that your neighbour may have mentioned
to you about your use of your property.