Necessity to disclose suicide in rental property?
9:29 AM, 16th February 2018, 8 years ago
10
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Unfortunately our long standing tenant recently took an overdose, which resulted in her death. We don’t know if she died in the house or in hospital.
Our rental agent has said that it is a legal requirement to disclose these facts to prospective tenants.
Is this information accurate? It seems a strange area to be subject to legislation.
Any information / advice would be gratefully received.
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Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
11:30 AM, 16th February 2018, About 8 years ago
on what grounds?
Comments: 6
11:56 AM, 16th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Hi
I have been in the property game for 13 years and that’s a new one to me.
Naturally their is things you need to and should disclose, but suicide of a previous tenant isn’t one, or well, on that I have heard of.
It’ll be interesting to see the replies that follow, especially if we get some property lawyers.
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 43
12:27 PM, 16th February 2018, About 8 years ago
I could be wrong, but maybe your agent is suffering from a mixture of guilt and superstition? Either way, time for a new agent. They work for you, not the tenant.
It’s perfectly legal to resell a car that someone has died in. Why not a house?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
12:36 PM, 16th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by St. Jims at 16/02/2018 – 12:27
Agree, time for a new agent.
Comments: 6
1:48 PM, 16th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by St. Jims at 16/02/2018 – 12:27
St. Jims, that was an awesome response and I 100% agree with it 😉
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 179
11:11 AM, 17th February 2018, About 8 years ago
So far as I am aware it is not a legal requirement unless, of course, someone asks a specific question in which case you must be truthful or decline to answer. I agree with the comments above – time for a new agent.
This came up very recently in a different jurisdiction (Florida) and at one time it had to be disclosed until owners/landlords complained and a real estate agent was sued after putting off potential buyers and now it’s up to the buyer/renter to find out.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 788
12:34 PM, 17th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Wait a minute, yes that definitely sounds a bit spooky to me, are there any spirits living in the house? some tenants may not want or like to share their accommodation with these lodgers who do not intend to contribute towards rent!
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 360
6:03 PM, 17th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by St. Jims at 16/02/2018 – 12:27
Don’t most houses have a death in them at some point ?
I would think every Victorian, Tudor. Georgian building still standing and occupied has had this event.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 179
7:05 PM, 17th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Sorry to pop up again. The discussion reminds me that the first house I ever sold was in south Reading (Farrowdene Road) and it had a grisly past. I decided I had to mention to purchasers that the previous owner had cut up his wife in the bath. Most ran away quietly screaming but the eventual purchaser thought it would be a great topic for conversation at parties.
There’s nowt so…….
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 1056
11:25 PM, 17th February 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Asif Ahmed at 17/02/2018 – 18:03
Exactly my thoughts AA. We live in a house that we know wasn’t here is 1898 but was in 1903, it’s impossible to tell from the deeds when exactly it was built. I have no doubt there have been many births and deaths here and it doesn’t bother us one bit.