It is not uncommon for two neighbours to fall out.
Selling your house requires you to disclose certain things – including information about bad neighbours.
Let’s look at how to sell a house with bad neighbours.
Common examples of neighbour disputes
Noise!
One of the most common reasons that neighbours argue is because of noise complaints.
wThis is particularly common in flats, where people live close.
Loud music, babies crying, children (or adults!) shouting…
Boundary disputes
Disputes over boundaries are another common reason for neighbours falling out.
This often occurs if there is a fence that needs to be replaced or if there is a large tree that crosses over a property’s boundary.
Parking
Parking can often cause neighbours to fall out. For example, someone might take up more space than they are allowed.
Building
Building work can create issues between neighbours. If a house is extending, this might block out sunlight for one of the neighbours.
What counts as a dispute with neighbours?
A neighbour dispute is where two or more neighbours strongly disagree about something.
Strongly to the point where it becomes a source of distress and frustration. It may even cause some of them to want to get revenge on their neighbours…
A survey by We Buy Any Home found 60% of Britons have experienced a dispute with their neighbour. 16% admit that this happened ‘many times.’
Do I have to declare neighbour disputes when selling a house?
Yes. If you have had a major dispute with one of your neighbours, you are legally obligated to disclose this to potential buyers.
You will usually disclose this as part of the Property Information Form (TA6).
It is illegal to lie or withhold information on the TA6 form.
If you fail to declare neighbour disputes, your buyer could accuse you of mis-selling your property. They might take legal action against you.
This aspect of the law can be ambiguous. People have different definitions of what counts as a ‘neighbourly dispute’.
Your dispute needs to be disclosed if any legal action has occurred.
It is considered common decency to warn buyers of any potential problems that may arise.
For example, if the people upstairs are about to have a baby, like to sing loudly late at night, or have an antisocial dog, then you should disclose this…
Will bad neighbours reduce the value of my house?
Yes. If there are ongoing disputes with your neighbours, the amount potential buyers will pay for your house will decline.
If there are pending legal proceedings, then this will only be exacerbated further.
Tips for selling a house on the open market with bad neighbours
Try to settle disputes first
It is generally recommended that you sort out neighbour disputes before listing your house on the market.
(There are, of course, other ways to sell your house).
Subjective issues such as noise complaints will still make your house sellable. They aren’t usually as serious as, for example, selling a house that is in a bad condition or one in a bad location.
But a sale could be impossible if you are at a stalemate over boundaries.
If you cannot sort out the issue before selling, though, then there are a few tips worth considering.
Honesty is always the best policy
If you hide a neighbour dispute from a buyer, and they later discover it, then you could be sued for a sizeable amount.
It saves you time, effort and money to be honest up-front.
Stick to the facts
Use as little subjective language as possible. People interpret disputes differently.
So, be clear about what happened and not about how you felt about what happened (unless, of course, the neighbour was making you feel threatened or confused, etc.)
If your neighbour’s dispute is with you, then they may have no problem with the new people moving in. This is something you could inform your buyer about, as they may be fine.
If the situation is so bad that most potential buyers lose interest, a cash buyer could likely still guarantee a purchase.
How to settle a dispute with neighbours
If you have an ongoing dispute with neighbours, you should hire a solicitor to help you. A professional with experience in this area can guide you on the best course of action.
The first step (if you have not done so already) is to contact your neighbours and see if a compromise can be reached.
You may do this in-person, by letter, or through your solicitor, who can contact them on your behalf.
If your neighbour does not own their property, then it may be worth speaking to their landlord. The landlord might be able to solve the problem themselves or evict the tenant if the situation is bad.
Get support from a residents’ or tenants’ association or a mediation service.
In the worst case scenario, the matter will need to go to court. Your solicitor can help you to pursue this route.
Can neighbours sabotage my house sale?
Your neighbour can make your life more difficult when selling a house, as long as they stay within the law.
If they do something illegal, you can take action against them through the courts.
However, in the grand scheme of things, there are many other factors to consider and things to when selling a house. Including, for example, what time of year you put your house on the market.
And unless they have already done something, it’s worth considering that if they don’t like you, they might not want to jeopardise you leaving!
Ways to find out about neighbour disputes
If you buy a property, you may want to know if a neighbourly dispute exists.
Speak to the estate agent selling the house and ask about any disputes. You could also ask the seller.
It may be worth contacting the property’s neighbours, as they could also shed some light on the situation.
Contact local authorities about complaints about the house. They might be able to give you this information.
Professional property searches carried out by a solicitor can reveal past issues.
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