Would you buy behind shops?

Hi PC'ers

I am looking at one property at the moment that has rear lane access to the garage. This lane is shared with the rear of a strip of shops. I am looking for any opinions or experiences you could share with this type of set up as positive/negative.

Would a lane that backs onto the rear of shops attract or deter you?

 

@Lifestyle Vastly depends on the number and type of shops you're referring too. For instance, if it's a larger grocer that received multiple deliveries on a daily basis - potential trouble in the future.
Also, having stayed in places like this over the years, if there's a tavern, pub or any similar venue nearby - that back lane becomes a urinal, a bedroom and many other things on Friday and Saturday night.
If possible, ask the surrounding neighbours and hear their views. All the best.

 

Is it possible for it to be rezoned retail or mixed uses?

What are the current users in the shops? Do they have exhaust for cooking? Where is the grease trap? When is it emptied? No guarantee that they won't be food uses? Will that affect your decision?

 

Avoid it. You can get busted too easily. The last time I got busted I was buying behind a shop.

 

That's what happens when you buy a behind behind a shop

 

There will be four lots of smelly garbage out there too.

 

My first house backed onto a lane way with shops and believe me it gets pretty loud at times. Shop deliveries, constant garbage trucks, staff hanging around smoking, etc. And all this early in the morning.

 

Rats could be an issue if there is food waste lying about...

 

Thank you for the input, much appreciated

 

Is it next to the shops or is the shop behind the shared lane?
As above, does it have any pluses by way of zoning?

 

@Lifestyle The answer to this is "it depends", my PPOR has a rear lane that is also shared with shops. The shops are mostly restaurants (nice ones), a bank, some cafes and general store. There is a fruit and veggie shop at the end of the lane and that would be awful to live behind as they seem to have constant deliveries and trucks blocking the lane. However behind the others is fine, if the restaurants or cafes are relatively nice then they should be hygienic and dispose of waste correctly. If not then you can call the council and they will come out (I've not had this issue though).

The only pain point really is the rubbish trucks. They seem to have their rubbish collected daily so there are often trucks going down the tiny lane early in the morning each day. This can be noisy at times.

Otherwise it's not really an issue in my opinion.

 

During my PM days managed a flat above shops, cockroaches were a problem no matter what the poor tenant did to be rid of them.