Why buying a property can be so distressing.

Over a year ago I decided to sell my property. I had work in London, my son was in London so a move seemed a good idea. I also found a nice two bed flat for £175,000 so I could rent out a room and have a bit of money to spare.

That was until the Government stepped in. I was already off sick And they wrote to me and told me I owed them between £4000 and £12,000. I am still contesting this, but the shock kicked in my M.E and I had my first major relapse in 7 years. I lost my job and had to live on my savings. Since I had already been drawing on my savings anyhow I then had to decide do I stay put and continue to rent out a room or do I downsize get something a bit more manageable considering my health. (Because of my health it is difficult for me to earn a good income so I would still need a room to rent out) I searched high and low and to my amazement last summer found a place round the corner that fitted the bill. A flat with freedhold and two double bedrooms. It seemed ideal except that....


The house the flat is in has always had a strange vibe. But it was better inside than I thought but not perfect, but provided it required no work on it and the co-freeholder was reliable it was just about worth moving. Otherwise staying put was much better. As it was to be a life raft, it was vital everything was okay. I fully informed the Estate Agents of my perilous financial situation. The staff at WHBrown in Broxbourne told me not to bother with a survey, that I could expect to spend a bit of money, but it was just surface work, and most importantly that the owner was reliable. They also tried tugging on my heart strings by saying my buyers, who had waited 6 months, were desparate to move in by Christmas. With lots of assurances in place. I leapt.... I was even told that the owner would clean the flat out before I arraived and would leave the fridge in place.

I wish.

No fridge, place filthy, with some of the the previous tenants possessions still in place. I electrocuted myself the moment I tried the cooker. The extractor fan does not work and I have had to get a plumber in to show me how to use the central heating as after two months of trying to get hold of the co-freeholder I gave up. I feel I have been miss-sold the property so I am now putting in a complaint to the Estate Agents "Neutral" complaints system. So far they are telling me, it was my choice to buy the flat so there would be no redress!! Needless to say I do not agree and nor do several official bodies I have spoken to, but unfortunately it turns out there is more protection in law if you buy a bar of chocolate than if you spend £10,000 to move. Buyer beward people can lie to you and you have no redress.!!!