Help - sellers lied to us

Marleysmummy99

I need some advice please. We moved a week ago and have made the biggest mistake,  and I'm so incredibly upset. 

When meeting my new neighbour yesterday, she made me aware that in or around 2023 the property we just purchased was a cannabis farm. Neither the seller or the estate agent told us. The estate agents were aware as they were the ones that were letting it out at the time and then sold it to us. I'm very upset about this, I live in this house with my family including our 2 year old child. 

I contacted the local police yesterday but was told they can't give me any info due to GDPR. I've submitted a freedom of information request but it'll likely not succeed. 

I need evidence of the crime and that this house was a cannabis factory in order to take legal action against the seller and agent. I wouldn't have purchased this house if I had known.

National Grid confirm the meter was changed and a new supply put in Nov 2023, after supply was disconnected.

Difficulty is that the previous owners live in South Africa. I'm so upset by this. I don't know what else to do.

user1977

So what was the lie? Did you ask the sellers a relevant question?

Marleysmummy99

Ok they omitted to tell us.  They have space to do so on the TA6.
No one asked if it was a cannabis factory - who would?!

Tabieth

What was the lie? 

I wouldn’t let it get to you. Change the locks (something I’d recommend to do anyway) and just live in and enjoy your new home. What happened there before doesn’t impact you now. 

Marleysmummy99

We don't know if there is structural damage as we believe this was a significant operation, according to the neighbour. Electrics have been checked. We had a level 3 survey before moving in,  I feel he missed things so he is coming back after I complained.

Wonka_2

Intrigued what the issue is about what it used to be 2yrs ago ? Assuming you didn’t pick up any signs (or aromas) when you viewed it and you were happy enough with the area then what’s the problem ? 

Enjoy the house - and if you want to throw money at something then probably better at counselling/therapy than at chasing the sellers 

Tabieth

Marleysmummy99 said:

We don't know if there is structural damage as we believe this was a significant operation, according to the neighbour. Electrics have been checked. We had a level 3 survey before moving in,  I feel he missed things so he is coming back after I complained.

You’ve had a structural survey and the electrical system has been checked. That all sounds reassuring. 

Marleysmummy99

Wonka_2 said:

Intrigued what the issue is about what it used to be 2yrs ago ? Assuming you didn’t pick up any signs (or aromas) when you viewed it and you were happy enough with the area then what’s the problem ? 

Enjoy the house - and if you want to throw money at something then probably better at counselling/therapy than at chasing the sellers 

It is a nice area, we know we won't get anywhere with the sellers as they live in Africa.

We can see signs now but only when looking for them. In one bedroom under floorboards is where the vent was put up in the bedroom and there is a patched up bit on the bedroom ceiling where they must have had their vent up too. Neighbour says they went out the roof, we plan to check that when we get scaffolding later in the year to do some other work on the gutters etc. 

I'm worried about the long term damage they've caused and I've no faith in the work that the previous sellers did - all a botch. I wouldn't have bought this if I had known.

user1977

Marleysmummy99 said:

Ok they omitted to tell us.  They have space to do so on the TA6.
No one asked if it was a cannabis factory - who would?!

Which question on the TA6 do you think is relevant here? (I don't have a copy in front of me).

Unless there are any objective problems with the property then I'm not sure what you'd be claiming for.

sheramber

Marleysmummy99 said:

Ok they omitted to tell us.  They have space to do so on the TA6.
No one asked if it was a cannabis factory - who would?!

what space is that and what are you asked declare in that space?

Your surveyor should have noted any structural problems with the house?

Marleysmummy99

Surveyor did miss things, which is why he is coming back on Wed. The house is 75 years old but there is some movement and cracking, and a big dip in the kitchen floor that he missed.