How to Go about Asking if a Murder Has Taken Place at a Property?

Debuting on 22/02/2020 - 21:21
Last edited 23/02/2020 - 10:46 by 1 other user

Are real estate agents supposed to tell people if someone has been murdered at a property?

I've come across an apartment going to auction. I noticed something strange. The place is marketed as needing renovation, but it has no carpets strangely enough….. I would have thought they would keep the old carpets. I've looked at other properties for sale in need of renovation and they all have the old carpets in place.

I looked around and apparently a few people were murdered in the suburb a few years ago. At least one involved someone who was recently jailed, and possibly this property has come to sale as it is no longer a piece of evidence. I am finding it really hard to search for information. I don't want go to the auction and end up overbidding for something which has a dark past.

What would be the most appropriate way to ask the agent without potentially being scolded? Should I be trying to ask the current neighbours instead?

It did have carpets before as you can see the glue stains on the ground. There are no hardwood floors either, just to be consistent with providing all information.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • biozet on 24/02/2020 - 13:53
    +2

    when buying a second hand sofa or couch I always ask if anyone has had sex on it. If the answer is in the affirmative I am more likely to buy it.

  • TimApple on 24/02/2020 - 15:33
    +1

    I, for one, love driving prices down for haunted properties or properties with multiple homicide scenes. As long as the traces has been cleaned properly.

  • No on 24/02/2020 - 15:54
    +2

    Hi Vendor, I only like to live in houses where someone has been murdered.

    It's a real annoyance to try and turn a non murder house into a murder house, has someone already been murdered here?

  • biozet on 24/02/2020 - 19:30

    I’m with you no..Houses with death in them have heaps more character . ..these mainstream borgeez wouldn’t get it

  • imcold on 24/02/2020 - 19:44
    +1

    Why not just state the bloody obvious.

    Ask why the carpet was removed? You might offer a few suggestions like was it water damage, or you hear blood stains can ruin even supposed stain resistant carpets.

  • groot on 24/02/2020 - 23:08

    Tell him what you know about the area and Just ask it directly …
    It happens hand in hand.. they need you and you need them. I do not think that he will be offended.

  • dwillia on 25/02/2020 - 02:48

    call a priest to perform an exorcism just prior to settlement - bill the vendor.

  • mrhanky71 on 25/02/2020 - 08:55

    just ask in front of everyone before the auction starts and you'll probably get a good price for the property.
    I just bought a house recently where I walked in and gasped: Oh my god! is that asbestos!?
    Definately scared a few bidders off

  • holdenmg on 25/02/2020 - 11:16

    You could get that kid from the movie that says “I see dead people…” to take a look…

    If he gives the all clear, you are right to bid. Lol

  • Chookt on 25/02/2020 - 11:38

    Don’t over think it - just ask directly. When I was looking to buy, I said ''I know this might sound odd, but has anyone died in this property?" I was never scolded (nor was I expecting to be). Some looked a bit taken aback but most actually said they get asked that now and then.

    (The reason I asked is because the first time my parents bought a property, we found out a little boy had drowned in the pool. The second time they bought, the owners' son had gotten high and killed himself in one of the rooms. They couldn't sell it fast enough when they found out. My parents eventually decided it was better to just buy a vacant block and build.)

  • StevenUniverse on 25/02/2020 - 13:46

    ….So was there a murder?

  • justa on 25/02/2020 - 17:41

    I once looked at a rental that had the most awful smell. I asked the agent about it. He replied..'yeah a guy hung himself here. It took a week to find the body'

  • Baysew on 13/03/2020 - 17:15

    Karen Ristevski killing: Avondale Heights house on the market

    As of this month, Victorian agents and vendors were barred from “knowingly conceal(ing) any material facts” about properties for sale, including whether they’d been the site of a murder, used as a meth lab, or had flammable cladding or asbestos.

    They previously only needed to disclose such information when asked.

  • iNeed2Pee on 20/01/2021 - 19:30
    Merged from Should Real Estate Agents Be Obliged to Disclose if a Murder Has Occured in The House They Are Selling?

    Doing my daily browse for houses and noticed one that looked familiar.

    Realised it was where a murder had taken place about 10 years ago. (Others probably have no idea)

    Had me wondering, should Real Estate agents make this information privy to prospective buyers?

    Different states seem to have laws/rules around this topic but thought I would put this poll to the OzB community.

    • pegaxs on 20/01/2021 - 19:34
      +1

      Why? What does it matter?

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2021 - 19:37
        +1

        Have you not heard of ghosts? 🙄

    • Jugganautx on 20/01/2021 - 19:34
      +1

      "Under Australian common law, vendors and real estate agents are required to disclose any information considered to be a “material fact” to prospective property buyers. This includes instances that have occurred on a property such as murder, violent crime and even the suspected presence of ghosts."

      https://www.domain.com.au/news/what-do-agents-have-to-reveal…

    • jimbobaus on 20/01/2021 - 19:38

      They are legally required to tell you if they have the relevant knowledge to share

      They do not need to put it any Advertisements for the property but must disclose prior to a contract being signed

    • kerfuffle on 20/01/2021 - 19:39
      +1

      There was a case in Sydney where the agents didn't disclose this, resulting in them getting fined

      • Kangal on 20/01/2021 - 19:54

        Fine not large enough.
        These scoundrels get away with much more underhanded things all the time. REA are leaches of actual workers that increase value for society. They skim some off the top for an essential product (housing), without providing much or any actual service.

    • iNeed2Pee on 20/01/2021 - 19:41

      The house in question actually has an article by realestate.com.au and the agent was quoted saying
      “It’s not something I’d be making (people) aware of and it’s not something I’m aware of. We’re just interested in getting the property sold for our clients,” he said."

    • iNeed2Pee on 20/01/2021 - 19:44

      Sorry if this is a duplicate to the one last year.

      I guess mine was just simplified into a vote and because I saw this property.

      (Mods feel free to remove if its too similar to that)

    • pharkurnell on 20/01/2021 - 19:48

      You expect them to know everything thats happened historically in a houses history - up to 10yrs or more??? LMAO!

      • iNeed2Pee on 20/01/2021 - 19:50
        +1

        This was a brutal murder. I think buyers have a right to know, that they are buying a house where an intruder came in and stabbed someone yes.

        But thats just me.

  • cloclo on 20/01/2021 - 19:58

    Agents in Vic have to disclose “material facts,” including whether a property has been the site of a murder or drug lab, to potential buyers without being asked.

    Source: We were informed by the REA that a drug lord lived, and met his untimely death, in a property we were looking at. We had just moved back to Australia and had no idea. That was in 2018.

  • whooah1979 on 20/01/2021 - 23:23

    Buy it at a discount and rent it out. Who doesn't like a discount?

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