Checking out the neighbours...

beansfeast · 28-01-2005, 09:22

Hey all

Recently seen a house that 'er indoors has fallen in love with! Unfortunately we are unsure about the neighbours after seeing (we think) their 4x4 parked across their drive and the drive of the house we like. The house we like also has a sign on it saying 'Do Not Block This Driveway'.

We're gonna ask the sellers about the neighbours but of course they're not gonna say anything to risk a sale on the house.
Any ideas on how to find out what the neighbours are really like? This would be useful for any situations not just this one.

Also, anyone got any funny/scary stories about new neighbours?

Ta!

slh73 · 28-01-2005, 09:26

Ask next door but one. Theyre not tryig to sell you a house, so have nothing to lose by telling you what the neighbours are really like

goldenfleece · 28-01-2005, 09:31

Maybe the present owners of the house u like dont have a car so it doesnt matter if there driveway is blocked? or perhaps the neighbours were simply parked briefly before going out again?

Yes ask a few doors down, or even opposite, discreetly of course.

Or perhaps the current owners have a running feud with the neighbours, in which case this will be the reason they are moving. Sometimes it will be solved just because the move out, and will be fine with new people moving in. All depends......tread carefully, houses are BIG investments and no one wants nasty neighbours

Knoxville · 28-01-2005, 09:36

If the people selling the house are in dispute with the neighbours then they are legally obliged to inform you of this if you ask them about it directly. ie. Don't just say what are the neighbours like, ask them if they have had any problems with them.

beansfeast · 28-01-2005, 09:37

Doh! I hadn't even thought of asking opposite, next door but one etc, good idea!
And they do have a car goldenfleece... I don't think I would have even noticed any of this if I hadn't seen the sign though!

Cols · 28-01-2005, 09:58

I think the rule of law is that if you don't ask, then the vendor doesn't have to tell. If you do ask specific questions then the vendor does have to answer honestly and truthfully.

lazyfish · 28-01-2005, 11:02

When we sold our old house last year one of the forms we filled in for the solicitors asked if there were any disputes with the neighbours, so it was all there in black and white.

Then again, if vendors tell you there's no trouble and you buy their house and it turns out that there is, it's all very well being able to take legal action but there'd still be a lot of hassle taking it. Better to go and actually find out if you can.

Strix · 28-01-2005, 12:08

I'd suggest knocking on their door with a cheery 'Hello, I'm considering making an offer on next door, and I just wondered if you might be able to tell me anything I should know about this neighbourhood?' prepared for them.

If they answer with a 'What!!', there's your answer!

You have no way of knowing whether the current 'evidence' began with the vendors demanding that a car wasn't parked on 'their' piece of road, so you don't know who's unreasonable 'til you meet the other people.

goldenfleece · 28-01-2005, 16:00

Lots of factors to to take into account, ie does the 4X4 actually belong to next door for sure? perhaps it is visiting......

maybe space and parking restrictions on the road might explain the parking position? You also say its parked both across your intended driveway and the driveway of the other house, so its not exactly a "lets block in the neighbours" ploy, perhaps just bad parking or someone in a rush to get to the toilet......you never know until you go back and make further assessments.

SHould the 4X4 have "******" written all over the back window then you know there is a dispute with the neighbours!!!

scoop · 28-01-2005, 16:21

When we were buying our house we found out that our vendor and the neighbours didn't get on at all, and that the vendor had telephoned the police with allegations of excessive noise and damage to fencing etc.
Our solicitor advised us to go and meet the neighbour so as to gague for ourselves what they were like.
I'm so glad we did, as we found that they were the lovliest people in the world who we are now very lucky to have as neighbours.

Don_Kiddick · 28-01-2005, 19:40

When we were house buying we drove 'round the neighbourhood of each house we liked at different times of the day - and night. Weekdays & weekends too. Took notice of where gangs of kids hung out, where litter; such as alcopop bottles & cans were left.
You only need to drive past regularly, or park up nearby & walk the street/ streets around to get a 'feel'.

I also spoke to our local communty bobby about each house to see if he had had any recall of problems, such as repeat burglaries, vandalism to cars, neighbour trouble etc... He was very helpfull indeed.

Look out also for neighbourhood watch notices & stickers in windows. Pull up at night & slam your car doors see if curtains twitch; nosey neighbours are good when your house maybe empty all day

Do also call & speak to your potential new neighbours; they probably will genuinely appreciate the call/ introduction.
Ours did

.
You will be able to judge fairly quickly if they appear suspicious of you or hostile.

Good luck!