# Selling the house. Do you tell the buyer that the neighbors are hell on wheel? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853 "2012-05-14T06:25:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rex\_Goliath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rex\_Goliath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Goliath)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/1 "2012-05-14T06:25:46Z")
You’ve put up with his shit for six goddamn years. He propped a rusted Mustang up on cinder blocks for three years. Night after night, just as you were trying to fall asleep, there he’d go, drunkenly yelling at his wife for not having enough mayonnaise on his sandwich (or something other topic; presumably she rapidly ascertained the correct amount of mayonnaise quickly). His Labrador shits on your lawn every morning. He has a ridiculously oversized American Flag that he special ordered from [bigassflags.com](http://bigassflags.com), which completely covers your house in shadow after 3PM. He tried to dig a tunnel from his backyard into your basement “to see if he could.” He leaves his Christmas tree up for 9 months a year. He keeps getting drunk and mistakenly trying to enter your house. But it was when his kid was born that you decided, fuck this neighbor, I’m leaving. The little shit smashes the vegetables in your garden and is impossibly loud for fifteen hours of the day. So you’re selling the house. Do you tell the buyer about these neighbors? Personally, I wouldn’t say a fucking word, and would hope to turn this into someone else’s problem as fast as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/2 "2012-05-14T06:56:28Z")
Nope. I am trying to sell the place after all. Plus, one man’s annoying neighbor is another man’s best friend. On the whole, I try not to make a habit of saying “I don’t like John Smith, avoid him”; I occasionally slip but I don’t want to be the kind of person who talks about others behind their backs. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/3 "2012-05-14T06:57:18Z")
No, you do not. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/4 "2012-05-14T07:00:37Z")
No. But, I’d have built a spite fence once it got that bad (of course you can’t soundproof it, but at least the dog and kid would stop getting into your shit). ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/5 "2012-05-14T07:18:38Z")
> [@Rex\_Goliath](#): > > He tried to dig a tunnel from his backyard into your basement “to see if he could.” **What?!** The rest of the stuff is pretty normal shitty neighbor stuff, but this? Can you fill us in on the rest of the story? Cause I can’t imagine any circumstances where that’s not some full-on DEFCON 1 shit, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/6 "2012-05-14T10:51:21Z")
I think that its a legal requirment for the vendor to tell potential buyers about this sort of problem in the U.K… ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/7 "2012-05-14T11:11:04Z")
As far as I know, you’re only required to disclose information about the house itself if there are known issues. Besides, how could a law possibly define what must and must not be disclosed about a neighbor? And as was said already, one man’s neighbor from hell is another’s best buddy. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/8 "2012-05-14T11:59:28Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > I think that its a legal requirment for the vendor to tell potential buyers about this sort of problem in the U.K.. I thought that was only if they asked? You’re not allowed to lie, but you don’t have to volunteer it. (this could be one of these legal differences between Scotland and England though, sorry). ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/9 "2012-05-14T12:24:07Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > And as was said already, one man’s neighbor from hell is another’s best buddy. Exactly, maybe your buyer want’s to dig his own tunnel to meet up with your neighbors, and swap mayonnaise theories. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/10 "2012-05-14T12:46:05Z")
> [@Rex\_Goliath](#): > > He tried to dig a tunnel from his backyard into your basement “to see if he could.” That’s funny, I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there now… That sound you hear is us chanting… “tell us more, tell us more…”. 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/11 "2012-05-14T12:53:05Z")
I think it would be polite to let the buyer know at this point, in case he wants to increase the size of his mortgage slightly and have the guy whacked. ---
**Author:** ![ecoaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@ecoaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecoaster)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/12 "2012-05-14T13:11:14Z")
sorry folks, but I have to disagree. I think you follow the Golden Rule on this one, especially if you think the new owners will have the same frustrations you did. You don’t need to be specific about the neighbor issues, but mentioning it generally at least absolves you of any post-sale guilt. You don’t need to scare buyers, you can just inform them of general issues. And frankly if they really like the place they are not going to not buy it because of what you’ve said about the neighbors, unless of course they witness the shenanigans themselves. In my mind it is not unethical to say nothing, but it is certainly considerate to say something. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/13 "2012-05-14T13:14:48Z")
I think they will notice the flag. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/14 "2012-05-14T13:20:40Z")
I don’t say a damn word. If the buyers are smart, they’ll go talk to the other neighbors in the area and find out for themselves. If they’re not, well, their loss. That said, if the buyer is a nice elderly couple looking for a quiet stress-free place to live because of the husband’s delicate heart condition, I might feel morally obligated to say something. Otherwise, no. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/15 "2012-05-14T15:58:39Z")
I would think this would be the sort of thing the buyer’s agent would check up on and disclose to his clients. When we were looking to buy, our agent knew a lot of stuff about various neighbors and the “climate” of the street of the houses we were looking at. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/16 "2012-05-14T16:00:52Z")
Well, now that it is permanently in print online, you kind of \*have \*to, or risk them finding out what you just said today and suing the pants off of you. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/17 "2012-05-14T16:05:42Z")
What did the previous owners of your house tell you about the neighbors or did they move in after you? It sounds like their property might give off such a vibe that you won’t have to say anything. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/18 "2012-05-14T17:00:41Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Well, now that it is permanently in print online, you kind of \*have \*to, or risk them finding out what you just said today and suing the pants off of you. What if he’s always wanted his pants to be knocked off by sue? Two birds with one stone. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/19 "2012-05-14T17:32:54Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Exactly, maybe your buyer want’s to dig his own tunnel to meet up with your neighbors, and swap mayonnaise theories. “Mayonnaise Theories” is a great name for a band. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853/20 "2012-05-14T18:36:41Z")
I also vote no. I’m guessing his house and yard at least somewhat reflect his asshole status - if you ignore signs like that, it’s on you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-house-do-you-tell-the-buyer-that-the-neighbors-are-hell-on-wheel/621853.md?page=2)