Buying next to childcare

Hi everyone,

I’m looking at buying a house that is next to a childcare centre. I want to know some others opinions on this.

I’ve been to this property a couple times and it’s been quiet during the day. You can’t hear if you are next to a childcare or not unless you go into the car park. There is a 2m fence and a garden that goes 5m from the fence and then there’s the car park. So there’s enough privacy and sound barrier

It’s currently rented out as a block of flats and achieves reasonable yield.

thanks

 

Thanks for you reply Wyllie. There is about 30 car spaces in the car park. I assume that is adequate amount for the size of the child care centre.

The house is currently rented out as 3 by 1 bedroom units. Renting out around 240 to 300 per week.

 

Good question. I have emailed that query to the agent.

 

If it were, they'd have plastered that all over the advert

 

Agent replied back and Yes, it is legal.

 

I give this thread a D minus.

 

With the lack of “No, don’t buy it.” Posts in this thread. I think I might end up making an offer for it.

 

Id go a few times during the day to ensure you didn’t just visit during nap time. I’ve never lived next door to one but have been in them many times and they can be chaotic and loud.

 

You don't ask the selling agent if these flats are legal, you call the council and ask them. The agent 's job is to tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear.

 

I contacted the council and they said it was legal to have up to 5 unrelated families renting a single residential dwelling without council approval. Any more than 5 and it requires council approval.

 

But does the dwelling match what was originally built as per council?

 

I suspect it would be five unrelated persons, not five unrelated families. The "House" will have to be up to code to be rented out as a block of flats, eg fire safety features like concrete walls through to the roof.

 

Why would you be worried about the noise from the childcare center?
Doesn't sound like you are going to live there, and the current tenants seem to cope (or would have moved on).

 

Absolutely. 2pm - after lunch nap time - if probably lovely and quiet. 10am - it's likely to be a whole different story.

Daycare centres are often open 6:30am-6:00pm for 50+ weeks of the year. That could be a lot of noisy hours and days.

 

Also, ask the agent for details of each lease agreement, ie: when each tenant started their lease, which are currently under a lease V's preiodic, and when each lease is due to end........
When you have these details, ask for a fire safety certificate/smoke alarm test check, as each "flat" should be individually serviced if the property has been set up properly, if it's a divided house the smoke alarms should be linked.

This is sounding more like someone had a share house arrangement that they divided up themselves (so it probably won't comply with council and may have diy bathrooms/kitchens, good luck ever claiming any insurance).

 

Have you seen the traffic in and out btwn 6-8 am, and 4-6 pm? That's when you want to be looking at it. A child care centre near me makes it almost impossible for the neighbours to use their driveway during these hours.