Unfortunately, neighbours don’t always get along. When you’re selling your home, it’s important to disclose any past neighbour disputes, even if they were minor or involved in anti-social behaviour.
Don’t worry, though. Mentioning a previous conflict won’t necessarily make your sale fail or reduce the market value of your property.
In this article, we’ll explore what you need to tell potential buyers about your neighbours, as well as offer our advice on how to sell your home even if you have bad neighbours.
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What Do I Need to Disclose About My Neighbours When Selling?
When selling your property, it’s important to disclose any written complaints you’ve sent to your neighbours or any complaints made to the local council or other authorities.
In rare cases, sellers have faced legal action for not disclosing disputes with neighbours to buyers. This could lead to costly legal fees.
- It’s especially important to disclose issues that could affect the new homeowners. This includes Ongoing neighbour disputes,
- Boundary disputes,
- Disagreements over who owns/is responsible for a hedge, etc.
- Noisy or nosy neighbours can be more subjective
A potential buyer may not see them as issues.
In any case, you should always disclose any complaint in writing to, between or about your neighbours in the seller’s property information form. It’s important to be ethical and follow the law.
If you need more specific advice, it’s best to speak to your estate agent, solicitor or local Citizens Advice.
Can't sell house because of neighbours - what do I do?
Selling a house is an ordeal in itself, not to mention with loud neighbours. Not only is it a challenge for you to overcome, but it can also be a major turn-off for prospective buyers. Therefore, here are three ways to deal with pesky neighbours.
Stick it out
It can be disheartening when hosting viewings yet no one decides to purchase your property. However, all you can do is be patient and wait for the perfect buyer. It could be as soon as next week, or it could be a couple of years from now.
According to The Advisory, the average house in the UK is on the market for seven weeks before it gets an offer. With this in mind, a house with unpleasant neighbours will likely take even longer to sell.
Drop the price
A lower-priced house often serves as a draw for investors, particularly those interested in buy-to-let. This isn’t a tactic we should be utilizing right away, although it can help maintain an interest in the property.
It’s worth keeping in mind that by lowering the price, we draw attention to any disputes that may be occurring.
However, this isn’t a major issue for investors since they won’t be living in the house, as long as they can get it tenanted.
Take court action
If your house has been listed for an extended period and you have solid evidence that your troublesome neighbours are the reason it hasn’t sold, taking legal action could be a viable option.
Keep in mind, however, that this course of action is not free. If the cost of pursuing legal action is more than what you’d be losing on the house, it may be better to simply accept your losses and move on.
Should you go to a solicitor about bad neighbours?
A solicitor can help you understand your rights and obligations regarding the noise issue, as well as any local laws or regulations that might apply. They can guide you on how to effectively tackle the problem, including exploring legal options if necessary.
A solicitor can also help you communicate with the neighbour, draft formal letters, or take legal action on your behalf.
Engaging a solicitor can give you an advantage and make sure you manage the legal side of noisy neighbours in the best way possible.
They will help you make informed decisions, safeguard your interests, and work towards a resolution that works for everyone.
The secret to selling your house with noisy neighbours FAST
A solicitor can help you understand your rights and obligations about the noise issue, as well as any applicable local laws or regulations. They can guide you on how to address the problem effectively, including potential avenues for legal recourse if necessary.
A solicitor can also assist with communication with the neighbour, drafting formal letters, or initiating legal proceedings on your behalf.
Engaging a solicitor can provide you with a strategic advantage and ensure that you navigate the legal aspects of dealing with noisy neighbours effectively. They will help you make informed decisions, protect your interests, and work towards a satisfactory resolution.
Staying on the market
Staying on the open market is a viable option for those who don’t want to rush into things. You might have to wait a while to get a sale, and you won’t know how much your property will fetch.
Using an estate agent can be helpful as they will take care of all the sale details, including creating a listing and advertising your home.
But there are drawbacks – you don’t know how long it will take to sell, and you’ll have to pay agent’s fees and legal expenses when you do.
Go to auction
For properties that present a problem, such as those with nuisance neighbours, auction houses are a popular choice. It’s easy to understand why: buyers take risks when they bid, and it is possible that your property could go for a higher price than you anticipated.
There is a chance of this happening with an agent, but it is rare.
This is why the industry sees going to an auction as a gamble. There is always the possibility that your property won’t sell at all.
Additionally, auctions come with their fees: marketing, listing, and commission if your property does sell. It is important to bear these costs in mind.
Cash buying options like Ours!
Don’t let a neighbour’s anti-social behaviour keep you from selling your home. Property Saviour has a fast, reliable, and fee-free solution. As one of the UK’s leading cash buyers of property, we can free you from neighbour disputes in just 7 days!
That’s right – in a week, you can sell your house quickly and put it in the past.
Our team has over 50 years of experience buying property and all the skills needed to help you get out of a neighbour dispute fast. We only need one quick viewing to make sure our cash offer is accurate. As a genuine cash buyer, once you accept our offer, that’s the amount you’ll get in full in your bank.
We’re a member of the National Association of Property Buyers and The Property Ombudsman. We’re rated excellent on TrustPilot, with over 1000 reviews, so you can trust us. Plus, we’ll cover all your legal fees and surveys too.
If you’re ready to leave your neighbour’s problems behind, give us a call or fill in our online form for a free, no-obligation cash offer. We could have the money in your bank as soon as you choose.
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
