House sale dragging on because of neighbour.

[McGraw]

My neighbours are nice people.
They smoke weed. It's been discussed on here before I think.

I don't really care but it does stink a certain part of my house out and it's not really possible to spend any time in the garden without smelling it. If I smoked weed these days I wouldn't do it in the vicinity of my house as my neighbours have kids and we both have animals.

People have told me it could be medicinal...whatever, doesn't really change anything. I would love to invite my parents round and have the back garden not stink of weed.

They also let their dog crap in the back yard and when you look outside from certain rooms you see about ten deposits at any one time. It's amongst kids toys.

Feedback from our estate agents has stated that the genuinely interested people wouldn't proceed due to the neighbours. They are expecting them to be nightmares.

If I lived on my own I'd have a quick chat and ask them if they'd mind refraining around viewing times. It's not feasible to smokeproof the house without spending a lot of money, long story. My other half doesn't want me to until we've had some more viewings. I don't want to keep cleaning my house to viewing perfection standards and I don't fancy losing the house we've had a provisional offer accepted for.

I'd also probably suggest I'd be happy to clear the dog muck up for them. To be honest it's not a sight I'd choose to see looking out of the window and I wish it wasn't there.

Don't think they'd have too much of a problem with it, we get on.

If the roles were reversed I'd be mortified and be happy to help. It's in their best interests that we sell to someone who won't make their life a misery.

I'm guessing everyone is going to tell me to suck it up but it's very frustrating.

 

[Malevolence]

Simple solution. Go around and tell them that their illegal activities are causing you issues with selling your house. If they give you any grief or refuse to play ball, inform them you'll get the police, and possibly social services, involved. **** 'em, you're moving anyway.

 

[Junglist]

As someone who partakes I can’t stress quite how embarrassed and apologetic I’d be if someone knocked on my door and just politely said what was bothering them.

I’d imagine the last thing they want to do is be making your life difficult so I reckon a friendly chat or non passive aggressive note and it would be sorted.

Of course I am assuming you’re dealing with level headed people. As much as I enjoy it and I like the smell. I know it can be obnoxious

Good luck

 

[arknor]

People have told me it could be medicinal...whatever, doesn't really change anything. I would love to invite my parents round and have the back garden not stink of weed.

have you ever considered that maybe the neighbours wouldn't make it stink of weed if you were actually using the garden? and they might not be aware of how well the smell travels.

Could be worse, some people boil onions to make soup, boil fish, boil mussels etc...
You could be a vegan and your neighbours always firing up the old BBQ.

there's always something someone's not going to like, others may see it as a potential new friend next door.

It's not feasible to smokeproof the house without spending a lot of money

well it travels in through gaps in your windows etc, so really it is feasible and doesn't cost a lot of money.

Your your hands around the edges of the windows/doors when its a bit windy and if you can feel cold air

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YWJKWBY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

simples. it it stops air, it stops the smell that travels with it. (can vouch for that one btw, used it on a PVC window that has a bit of a worn hinge.

edback from our estate agents has stated that the genuinely interested people wouldn't proceed due to the neighbours. They are expecting them to be nightmares.

some people won't care. there's plenty of worse neighbours than someone who smokes weed.

could be alcoholic instead or a proper junky.
At least a stoners going to have some level of paranoia about them that makes them aware of how they impact on other people.

just give them a knock, tell them your having viewings on the house, if they could keep the whacky baccy to a minimal until 6pm or whatever that would be great...


if your too scared to knock on go the local shop, ask for a pack of "raw papers" king size the ones with he cardboard roach material.

write a quick note on the pack and they are sure to read it., probably cost you about £1.40

 

[Parsley]

I find that weed smokers are either (massive generalisations incoming) easy going and nice and they just partake, stoners but generally harmless with their laziness or lack of consideration being the problem, or, people who seem to go out of their way to be obnoxious and are not the sort of hornets nest you want to poke as they have nothing better to do than cause trouble.

Seems like they are nice, so why not tell them you're having problems with the smell coming in whilst you're trying to sell? It can't be THAT bad as your house would stink of it all the time if it was. Selling up is a more than reasonable reason to talk to them about it.

 

[McGraw]

Simple solution. Go around and tell them that their illegal activities are causing you issues with selling your house. If they give you any grief or refuse to play ball, inform them you'll get the police, and possibly social services, involved. **** 'em, you're moving anyway.

Don’t need to do that, I can do it much more diplomatically but my missus does not want me to go round.

 

[McGraw]

have you ever considered that maybe the neighbours wouldn't make it stink of weed if you were actually using the garden? and they might not be aware of how well the smell travels.

Could be worse, some people boil onions to make soup, boil fish, boil mussels etc...
You could be a vegan and your neighbours always firing up the old BBQ.

there's always something someone's not going to like, others may see it as a potential new friend next door.

well it travels in through gaps in your windows etc, so really it is feasible and doesn't cost a lot of money.

Your your hands around the edges of the windows/doors when its a bit windy and if you can feel cold air

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YWJKWBY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

simples. it it stops air, it stops the smell that travels with it. (can vouch for that one btw, used it on a PVC window that has a bit of a worn hinge.


some people won't care. there's plenty of worse neighbours than someone who smokes weed.

could be alcoholic instead or a proper junky.
At least a stoners going to have some level of paranoia about them that makes them aware of how they impact on other people.

just give them a knock, tell them your having viewings on the house, if they could keep the whacky baccy to a minimal until 6pm or whatever that would be great...


if your too scared to knock on go the local shop, ask for a pack of "raw papers" king size the ones with he cardboard roach material.

write a quick note on the pack and they are sure to read it., probably cost you about £1.40

You have no idea how much I use my garden. How do I know it constantly stinks of weed without ever going in there?

You also don’t know where the smell is coming from so stop trying to tell me how to solve the problem.

Also how are they supposed to know it smells so much without someone telling them?

As I said in my OP, scared of going round I am not. It’s my partner who doesn’t want me going round. She knows I can be a little direct

 

[McGraw]

have you ever considered that maybe the neighbours wouldn't make it stink of weed if you were actually using the garden? and they might not be aware of how well the smell travels.

Could be worse, some people boil onions to make soup, boil fish, boil mussels etc...
You could be a vegan and your neighbours always firing up the old BBQ.

there's always something someone's not going to like, others may see it as a potential new friend next door.

well it travels in through gaps in your windows etc, so really it is feasible and doesn't cost a lot of money.

Your your hands around the edges of the windows/doors when its a bit windy and if you can feel cold air

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YWJKWBY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

simples. it it stops air, it stops the smell that travels with it. (can vouch for that one btw, used it on a PVC window that has a bit of a worn hinge.


some people won't care. there's plenty of worse neighbours than someone who smokes weed.

could be alcoholic instead or a proper junky.
At least a stoners going to have some level of paranoia about them that makes them aware of how they impact on other people.

just give them a knock, tell them your having viewings on the house, if they could keep the whacky baccy to a minimal until 6pm or whatever that would be great...


if your too scared to knock on go the local shop, ask for a pack of "raw papers" king size the ones with he cardboard roach material.

write a quick note on the pack and they are sure to read it., probably cost you about £1.40

You have no idea how much I use my garden. How do I know it constantly stinks of weed without ever going out there?

You also don’t know where the smell is from so stop trying to tell me how to solve the problem.

 

[dowie]

This is why developers like to keep social housing separate, much higher chances of having people with "issues", general noise, untidiness, and problems with dog mess, smoking etc..

My neighbours are nice people.
[...]
I'd also probably suggest I'd be happy to clear the dog muck up for them. To be honest it's not a sight I'd choose to see looking out of the window and I wish it wasn't there.

Don't think they'd have too much of a problem with it, we get on.

Just be careful and check with your solicitors, hopefully not an issue if you get on with them but just be aware that in general there is a legal requirement to notify a buyer of any disputes.

If you were to get them to clean up the mess and stop smoking for a bit then a buyer moves in and they revert to the usual weed smoking and mess/dog poo all over their back garden then they might be a bit miffed... but it may be the case (check with a solicitor) that because they agreed to resolve the issues (even if temporarily) then that wasn't a declarable dispute.

I think if you didn't get on with them or they objected then you might be into different territory, especially if you reported them to the police or council - again need a solicitor to advise really.

So there is a possible dilemma there - say nothing to them and there is clearly no dispute, buyers can come round and they can see how it is and make a decision based on that or open a potential dispute with them and... well legal advice re: whether that needs to be declared (perhaps partly based on their reaction to you asking and whether they resolve it or not).

 

[McGraw]

This is why developers like to keep social housing separate, much higher chances of having people with "issues", general noise, untidiness, and problems with dog mess, smoking etc..



Just be careful and check with your solicitors, hopefully not an issue if you get on with them but just be aware that in general there is a legal requirement to notify a buyer of any disputes.

If you were to get them to clean up the mess and stop smoking for a bit then a buyer moves in and they revert to the usual weed smoking and mess/dog poo all over their back garden then they might be a bit miffed... but it may be the case (check with a solicitor) that because they agreed to resolve the issues (even if temporarily) then that wasn't a declarable dispute.

I think if you didn't get on with them or they objected then you might be into different territory, especially if you reported them to the police or council - again need a solicitor to advise really.

So there is a possible dilemma there - say nothing to them and there is clearly no dispute, buyers can come round and they can see how it is and make a decision based on that or open a potential dispute with them and... well legal advice re: whether that needs to be declared (perhaps partly based on their reaction to you asking and whether they resolve it or not).

Thank you. This is why my partner is reluctant and the only thing really stopping me to be honest.

They rent, they are smoking somewhere indoors where they think the landlord won’t go I think

 

[dowie]

They rent, they are smoking somewhere indoors where they think the landlord won’t go I think

Maybe they're leaving a window open (because of the landlord) and it's near a vent for your house (especially if semi-detached or terrace).

 

[shifty_uk]

Stick to your guns, keep it friendly but semi-direct and explain the situation, make them aware that the smell is present when viewers are around.

If they are as nice as you say, they’ll understand and wrap it.

If they’re smart, they’ll also not want any trouble with the police or their landlord.

Your mrs will understand, don’t jeopardise your future house over some stoners.

 

[arknor]

You also don’t know where the smell is coming from

so it's not coming from next door then? you think the smells is soaking through the wall or what? if your neighbour spilt a bottle of aftershave against an adjoining wall do you think the smell is going through the wall into your house?

if your neighbours cook food with the windows closed, can you still smell it?

are your toilets side by side? and you can smell each others dumps? of course the smell is coming in a window, door or vent

or your just making it up about your house stinking of it.

 

[potatolord]

Don’t need to do that, I can do it much more diplomatically but my missus does not want me to go round.

Threatening them is going to escalate it. They'll either comply, tell you to xxxx off, make your life a misery or move. If they call your bluff, will the police take action against them? I don't know.

If you get into some sort of legal dispute, or involve police, that will need to be declared as part of the sale.

Also, you need to live there until the sale happens.

Have a think about how you can come to an agreement with them, and what you can get.

 

[moon man]

This doesn't solve it but what about insence sticks, I bought a mixed batch on eBay, lavender , sage ect , great at masking smells for viewings

 

[bloodiedathame]

Important question, what dog do they have? Need to build a mental image of these people.

 

[200sols]

Simple solution. Go around and tell them that their illegal activities are causing you issues with selling your house. If they give you any grief or refuse to play ball, inform them you'll get the police, and possibly social services, involved. **** 'em, you're moving anyway.

Make it official and they'd be obliged to inform any potential buyer of a dispute and that will put many off.

 

[dlockers]

The estate agent was there longer than any prospective buyers. Are you sure they aren't BSing you?

Constant smell of weed is a pure exaggeration, so best to remove the emotion from your post.

 

[fez]

some people won't care. there's plenty of worse neighbours than someone who smokes weed.

This is true but I wouldn't risk it personally. If I went around to a house to view it and it stank of weed and it was the neighbours I would seriously consider not buying the house. I used to smoke so I have absolutely nothing against smoking weed but at the same time I have lived in a flat with some utter bellends as neighbours who smoke and bad neighbours make your life horrible. I wouldn't risk it on something as serious and expensive as a house. They might be lovely neighbours who only smoke a few times a week or they could be the dregs of society who are a nightmare to live next to. Any indication of the latter would put me off.

 

[VincentHanna]

I'll be honest, I have never looked at a house, and noticed dog poo in a neighbours garden.

And to be even more honest, there's probably 10 dog turds in my garden right now as I've not been around and cleaned it up for 3 days...

The smell of weed wouldn't put me off as long as I couldn't smell it from inside my house.