THE RENOVATION FILES CASE #8: THE HOUSE OF HORROR

There’s a compelling argument to say that the house-buying process in this country should come with serious health warnings. If the charming cottage you’ve just purchased for an eye-watering sum turns out to be a subsiding money pit without any legal rights of access, then, as the new owner, that’s your problem. Fortunately, in most cases, such nightmare scenarios are unlikely to arise, thanks to pre-purchase checks carried out by conveyancing solicitors, surveyors and valuers who are employed to de-risk the process.

But there are still some risks that even the most ardent professional input can’t normally forestall. Perhaps the most obvious example is whether your new neighbours turn out to be a delight or a disaster