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How to engage with future neighbours

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dan_first_time_buyer
dan_first_time_buyer Posts: 60 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Hi All,

I am seriously considering putting in an offer for a flat (in a building of 18 units) but I would like to talk with two neighbours first.

I would like to talk with another top-floor flat owner (regarding temperature in hot and cold seasons). Also with another owner who has the same floormap as of the flat I am interested in and they did some work to get an extra bedroom (I'd like to know how difficult that was and the price).

How should I go about arranging those chats? I don't feel comfortable ringing at their door bell (I feel I'd trouble them). But maybe I should.
Or can I ask the EA to arrange those two chats?

What would you do?

Thanks,
Dan
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Comments

  • Ashbash1991
    Ashbash1991 Posts: 5 Forumite
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    ........just knock, If I had a estate agent banging on my door asking questions id tell them to go away that just says to me the person who wants to buy the house/flat cant be bothered but if someone who was interested in the house/flat came and asked id talk to them merrily.

    Happened in a flat we moved out of last year we saw a couple of people trying to look through next doors windows (vacant) they came over and had a chat we even showed them around ours. Not the same circumstances entirely it was a military flat and we dont get to see them beforehand we just have to bid then hope its nice haha so you often had people coming for a nosy through windows to try get a idea of the state of the place.
  • martinthebandit
    martinthebandit Posts: 4,422 Forumite
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    Actually it's probably pretty important that you do knock on the neighbours door before buying, at least that way you stand a chance of finding out that you may not want them as neighbours before it's too late.
  • need_an_answer
    need_an_answer Posts: 2,812 Forumite
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    Although don't be offended if some neighbours don't even answer the door to you...some people are like that.
    in S 38 T 2 F 50
    out S 36 T 9 F 24 FF 4

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  • pinkteapot
    pinkteapot Posts: 8,040 Forumite
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    Knock on the door, smile when they open, say "I'm really sorry to bother you but I'm buying a flat in the building and wondered if I could ask you a couple of questions about what it's like here." Most people will be fine with that.
  • Smodlet
    Smodlet Posts: 6,976 Forumite
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    Knocking on doors and speaking in person is something those of us of a certain age do perhaps more readily as, for a significant portion of our lives, it was the only way to communicate with people.

    In this day and age, is there not a Fakelook group for this block of flats? It wouldn't surprise me.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    I always knock on doors.


    If you get a frosty reception, well, you've learned a valuabl leson about your prospective neighbours......
  • DigitalSheppard
    DigitalSheppard Posts: 25 Forumite
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    Just knock and say hello.

    Although, I've previously done it while carrying a tray of biscuits

    Granted, you might catch them at a bad time but introduce yourself and if they ask you to come back later, that's alright. However, if they are rude, then you might not want to live next door to them.
  • Smodlet
    Smodlet Posts: 6,976 Forumite
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    DigitalSheppard wrote: »
    Just knock and say hello.

    Although, I've previously done it while carrying a tray of biscuits

    Granted, you might catch them at a bad time but introduce yourself and if they ask you to come back later, that's alright. However, if they are rude, then you might not want to live next door to them.

    Yes, biscuits, absolutely. Reserve cake for neighbour disputes, eh, G_M? ;)
  • cybervic
    cybervic Posts: 597 Forumite
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    I did this and got a very nice welcome in the building where I bought my flat. You can tell what kind of atmosphere is there in the building between neighbours too.
    I was really nervous but it has to be done. Go for it OP.
  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371 Forumite
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    If I encountered a stranger on my doorstep with a tray of biscuits I would think they are decidedly creepy.
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