Restrictive Covenants on Prospective House Purchase

[Gumbo Robot]

I find covenants on properties like this -where the original seller of the land was in the neighbors house and he didn't want anything built close, but people die or move and it's really only an issue if your neighbor is inclined to raise it should you start to build

Find out who put the covenant on and if they are still around as a first action (if it was put on by a statutory body then its a different kettle of fish)
If they're not around might be worth a chat with your neighbor-to-be to see:

a)if they are aware of the covenant
&
b) would they object if you built

I guess I need to find out if its perpetual or if it is just in place while the current owners are there. The land registry docs mention named individuals - ie the current owners. Not so much of a problem I guess if that's the case as I'm under the impression they're quite old.

[NigelJK]

Can you get a similar covenant on their side of the fence?

[cojak]

Was these questions not raised when you bought the house?

They is now.

[SueEllen]

Tell them that either they get that covenant changed or they reduce the house price by £50k, or you walk away.

They will tell you to FRO.

[WTFH]

They will tell you to FRO.

...and that solves the problem.




If you think the risk is high that someone (now or in the future) is going to do something that affects your garden (or, for DM users, your house price), then you either want the price dropped, the covenant changed or you want to walk.
If the seller does not think you have a valid argument (or feel they already have dropped the price in the first place because of it), then yes, they'll tell you to swing.
That could make it a lucky escape for you.

[AtW]

Just ask yourself what would Suity do ?

[Gumbo Robot]

...and that solves the problem.




If you think the risk is high that someone (now or in the future) is going to do something that affects your garden (or, for DM users, your house price), then you either want the price dropped, the covenant changed or you want to walk.
If the seller does not think you have a valid argument (or feel they already have dropped the price in the first place because of it), then yes, they'll tell you to swing.
That could make it a lucky escape for you.

Who knows how high the risk is? All I can do is satisfy myself that the current owners aren't planning any developments. The bigger issue though is how this would affect future saleability which is why I started the thread to gauge reaction.

Interestingly, the property has been on the market for a year - when it first went on it was snapped up right away but that sale fell through. Im wondering if it fell through over similar concerns.

[WTFH]

Interestingly, the property has been on the market for a year - when it first went on it was snapped up right away but that sale fell through. Im wondering if it fell through over similar concerns.

Have you asked your accountant estate agent?

[BrilloPad]

Have you asked your accountant?

NLUK

[BrilloPad]

I heard of a case like this where the neighbours(who had sold the plot) planted leylandii making the house unsaleable.

Then offered to buy it back for little money.