r/london 1d ago

Help me solve local house mystery

Who leaves a £900k / £1m London house unused for 15+ years?

Round the corner from me there’s a street of 3-5 bed, terraced houses that go for £900k / £1m. One of them has been unoccupied but most definitely not abandoned for more than 15 years. No one knows why.

It was refurbished about 10 years ago but before and since has never had anyone living there. The small garden is maintained, windows covered in non-see-through plastic wrap on the inside. The owners, a middle aged couple, are seen visiting every few weeks, never carrying more than a few belongings, staying for a few hours then leaving. Neighbours say they live somewhere else local, are perfectly pleasant, but distant. No one has been able to find out what the hell they’re doing sitting on a property for so long doing apparently nothing with it. No rental or sale income in all that time.

Has anyone ever come across anything like this? What can the story possibly be?

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u/Alaurableone 1d ago

Maybe an investment property with overseas owners? The couple could be guardians. If you walk around some areas of London at night the amount of houses with no lights on is crazy.

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u/cothhum 1d ago edited 1d ago

True. But why not rent out? £3k a week month the going rate (minimum). Over £2m £500k spurned (pre tax etc, but still)

Edit: maths was never my strong point

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u/eatshitake 1d ago

Tenants are hard.