Bizarre story! I need help approaching a strange man?

Question

Alright, I live with my husband, daughter and two cats in a tiny flat in London and we're all going a bit loopy loo living in such a small place. Near by to us there is a huge derilict Georgian 4 bedroom house which I noticed about a year ago and thought nothing of. But today I was talking to the neighbour next door to the derilict house and he told me that the owner has left this beautiful house unused for 20 years and the only time the owner goes back to the house is to build an underground bunker in the garden!!! I was given the owners address and I am going to see him tommorrow to see if he'll let me live in the house and take care of it with my family. How would you approach him? I know it's unorthordox, but hey you don't ask you don't get. What would you do?

Answer 1

A key word to use is "entertain". As in "Mr. X would you entertain the idea of ........"

Most people will entertain any idea. This question let's him think about it without having immediate pressure to say yes or no to the whole idea.

Answer 2

just be cheeky like us scousers an ask him out right, no use beating behind th bush doll.

Answer 3

i think its a great idea - good on you for having the guts!! :) tell him you'll restore it to its former glory.  be sensitive though, you dont know why he's left it like that

Answer 4

Honesty is the best policy.  Just be upfront with him and tell him what you said here.

What need make something up?

Answer 5

think about it from his point of view - identify what the benefits will be to him and work from there - present it as mutually beneficial.

Answer 6

Take your hubby along and also take the estate agent(if there is one) and maybe you should ask the Special branch to watch the place as you think there may be something dodgy going on...

Remember that German Guy........................................

Answer 7

I would call him.

Answer 8

Why dont you write to him or call instead of going face to face.

Answer 9

Be careful or you may wind up in his underground bunker.

Answer 10

I would personally write him a letter first rather than going to see him, he might be a bit of a recluse and find a visit intrusive, he also quite honestly sounds a bit weird if he is building a bunker in the garden.  Just ask him if he would considering leasing all or part of the house to you, and see how or whether he replies, and take it from there.

Answer 11

wow that man is strange idk be nice! He could be a criminal so be careful!!!!!!!!

Answer 12

You have to befriend him first

Answer 13

Is he selling the house.

Say I heard you was putting up an offer for a house.

Snow Man

Answer 14

Knock on the door and when he answers say "Hello are you Mr. Whatever? Well I am (insert name here), I live in a flat next door to your Georgian Home on (insert street here). And explain the size of your family, and how you want to rent out the house because it would be a better fit for your family. And talk from there. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 15

Face to face is the way to go. I wouldnt come out and ask him, like someone said..befriend him. They as time goes on mention that you love the house and would love to take care of it.

Answer 16

Letter in the letterbox.

I wouldn't approach him.

Answer 17

go for it, but if he lets you live in it try and get some sort of legal contract to protect you especially if you have to do loads of work to make it habitable

Answer 18

be VERY polite....

Answer 19

A strange man............................. a strange man.

well if i was you i'd roll up my sleeves and go and see this strange man and ask him whats with his underground bunker.

i would not want to live thier.  he's not living thier for a reason.

if he wanted to sell it he would of done a long time ago.

sounds like a house he has grown up in and he will not pass it on to you.    

go find another house  a nice house.  if you havent got enough money i'd bang every penny you got into a stock called  'vernalis' on the stock exchange.  ftse small caps. and when their share price rises from 4p a share to 50 p a share in a few years you could make a few hundred thousand. and walla you can afford a nice house  modern   with  guess what

no strange man.

Answer 20

Hi, my name is ______

and the reason im here is because I live very close to a very beautiful house that i believe is yours, and i have heard that you use it only from time to time. So i was wondering if we could talk about me and my family renting this house or better yet maybe taking care of it for you while you are gone?

Answer 21

A house unused for that long could have major issues as far as electric, gas, and plumbing go. Just go and say, Excuse me, I was wanting to inquire about the house.  Would you ever consider leasing it?  Ask how he feels about pets, and children also.  It sounds like a gorgeous house!!! Best Wishes.

Answer 22

Explain that you have fallen in love with his house and that it would be the ideal home to bring up your daughter in it, if he knows that you love it he might realise that having a family in the house will be a benefit as he will also get an income from the rent. good luck tomm

Answer 23

ASK! The worst he can say is no!

You have nothing to lose, only something to gain.