House names - do they have any legal standing?

rob w

Hi,

Not sure if this is really a legal matter as such, but just wanted to see if I could get some advice before going any further or how we should handle it.

So, we bought a house earlier this year which was marketed and sold with a name, say 'House A'. The vendors had divided up the existing plot, keeping a section of it to build a new house on. As part of the sale, they wanted to keep the original name for their new house. However, our solicitor had shot this down as the contract for sale had named the property as 'House A' as had our loan offer etc. So the vendors had then told us through the solicitor they would drop the request to retain the name of the house.

However, since we have moved in, it has transpired that the vendors - who are now neighbours - seem as though they are continuing to use the name 'House A'. This is becoming a real pain as we had changed all our addresses when we moved in to 'House A' so our post is getting mixed up all the time! Couriers/deliveries never know where to go etc etc.

I have briefly raised this with the neighbour who kind of fobbed it off at the time. I am trying not to start off on the wrong foot and falling out with them over this so am wondering what we can do.

Now the thing is, that we don't particularly want to keep the name of the house - but are worried if we let this carry on and go to sell the house in the future that this might pop up as an issue? Could that happen - do house names like this have any legal standing or basis?

chunkylover4

rob w wrote: »

Hi,

Not sure if this is really a legal matter as such, but just wanted to see if I could get some advice before going any further or how we should handle it.

So, we bought a house earlier this year which was marketed and sold with a name, say 'House A'. The vendors had divided up the existing plot, keeping a section of it to build a new house on. As part of the sale, they wanted to keep the original name for their new house. However, our solicitor had shot this down as the contract for sale had named the property as 'House A' as had our loan offer etc. So the vendors had then told us through the solicitor they would drop the request to retain the name of the house.

However, since we have moved in, it has transpired that the vendors - who are now neighbours - seem as though they are continuing to use the name 'House A'. This is becoming a real pain as we had changed all our addresses when we moved in to 'House A' so our post is getting mixed up all the time! Couriers/deliveries never know where to go etc etc.

I have briefly raised this with the neighbour who kind of fobbed it off at the time. I am trying not to start off on the wrong foot and falling out with them over this so am wondering what we can do.

Now the thing is, that we don't particularly want to keep the name of the house - but are worried if we let this carry on and go to sell the house in the future that this might pop up as an issue? Could that happen - do house names like this have any legal standing or basis?

Just change the name of the address and ensure your eircode is on deliveries as well as informing an post, utilities companies etc. You can instruct a solicitor to have the folio or deeds changed however the cost would likely be disproportionate to the benefit.

I live in Number 3 on a road with 3 number 3s because the owner of the land in 1968 decided he wanted 1,2 and 3 to be numbered on our lane.

GerardKeating

rob w wrote: »

Now the thing is, that we don't particularly want to keep the name of the house - but are worried if we let this carry on and go to sell the house in the future that this might pop up as an issue? Could that happen - do house names like this have any legal standing or basis?

On the legal standing issue, that's what you need to ask your solicitor.

Assuming your solicitor gives the go ahead for the name change, then pick a new name, and advertise it. perhaps write to all the local delivery companies telling them that "House A" is now known as "House B" and give the eircode.

Peregrinus

You can call your house anything you like.

He can call his house anything he likes.

If you both like to call your house the same thing that obviously can make for confusion, but your postman will fairly rapidly learn which family lives at which house. Couriers, not so much.

Things you can do:

- Use your Eircode.

- Put up a sign with your family name below the sign with the house name.

- Change the name of your house. If you want you can change it to a variation of the current name - e.g. "Old House A".

- Stop using the name of your house for postal/delivery purposes - just use street address and Eircode.