It’s not illegal to sell a house with bad neighbours.
But it is illegal to sell a house whilst lying about bad neighbours.
Here’s a guide on what to do if your seller lied about this.
What counts as a seller lying about neighbours?
When someone sells you a property, they must disclose everything about it.
This includes whether you have problems with neighbours – either relationship-wise or property disputes.
Defining ‘lying’ can be difficult. In short, it can come down to:
- Knowingly saying something false
- Unknowingly saying something false
- Withholding important information.
For example, sellers might state that the neighbours are quiet and peaceful when they aren’t.
Or, they might simply not mention that neighbours are regularly noisy.
Can I sue the seller for lying about neighbours?
Yes, this is sometimes possible.
Whenever a seller misrepresents a property, you can take action because of it.
You’ll just need to prove that this occurred.
Speak to a solicitor or lawyer for guidance about this subject. They can give you the best chance of success.
A TA6 form may contain a seller’s answer about their neighbours. So, you could prove you were lied to if you’ve got this in writing.
Emails, letters, or witness statements could also act as proof.
Time limit to claims
Remember that once you buy a house, you have up to 6 years to bring a claim.
If this time has passed, you will no longer be able to.
Will I be allowed to return the property if a seller lied about neighbours?
It depends.
You usually seek damages when you take a seller to court for lying about neighbours.
Most of the time, this is financial compensation (payment).
In rare or extreme cases, you may be allowed to return the property. But this is not common.
How do I find out if a seller has lied about neighbours?
You’ll usually become aware of the situation after moving in.
Perhaps the neighbours are anti-social. Or maybe they keep a pet when the seller says they didn’t.
You’ll then find evidence that the seller deceived you on this subject.
You’re unlikely to win a case with a memory of what they told you verbally. Proof or witnesses are needed.
Does a seller lying about neighbours impact house value?
Yes, a property’s neighbours can impact on its value.
Buyers will pay more when the neighbours are peaceful and unproblematic. But if the neighbours are a nightmare, they’ll pay much less.
In some circumstances, neighbours can impact house value by around 5%. This could be because of a relatively minor issue, like a barking dog or noisy child.
But in worst-case scenarios, neighbours could affect your house value by 10% or 15%. This is usually related to more serious matters, like boundary disputes or serious anti-social behaviour.
