Anyone ever bought a house and the previous owner leaves al their S***

[Dmas]

Completed on a house on Friday, as the title says the guys left me all his rubbish cupboard full sheds full lofts full and obviously with the way the world is just now getting rid is nigh on impossible, I’ve taken pictures videos and sent them to my solicitor who has raised it with their solicitor but the previous owner is not responding.

Anyone had any experience of this? I’m being told not to do anything I’m going to need to do something soon as I want to move in

[makaveli1875]

I have but the previous owners were dead so I had to hire a van and lug it all to the dump myself. Not ideal in the current lock down situation though

[grunt]

Found two WWI rifles hidden under the floorboards when we moved in.

[pollution]

Found two WWI rifles hidden under the floorboards when we moved in.


What did you do with them??

[grunt]

What did you do with them??

Handed them into the police. I don't think they were worth much but all the actions were working. They'd been wrapped in oilcloth.

[Bishop Hibee]

I had some great stuff left when I moved back having let my property out years ago. A fine collection of various pub glasses, a cooler box unused with the tags still on and brand new M&S towels in the plastic. Wasn’t so happy about the mice the dirty so and so’s had done nothing about though!

[Dmas]

I had some great stuff left when I moved back having let my property out years ago. A fine collection of various pub glasses, a cooler box unused with the tags still on and brand new M&S towels in the plastic. Wasn’t so happy about the mice the dirty so and so’s had done nothing about though!

There does look to be a few pieces of treasure I’m not sure it’s enough for the time it’s going to take to get rid of the rest though

[Jay]

I had the opposite. All fixtures and fittings, curtains etc were to be left. We arrived and the fireplace was missing, no curtains or poles, no oven and no lightbulbs! I had an18 month old and a 5 month old and had handed our keys for the old house in.

[Bostonhibby]

In the late 80's a workmate of mine bought his first place, it was a building society repossession and when he got the keys a few of us went round to help him clear out what was left behind.

The living areas were full of decrepit standard furniture that all went in the skip he'd hired but a foray into the loft started with him handing down bin liners full of magazines which were the x rated favourites of the day and we all had a laugh, but it took on a bit more sinister turn when he also found an inflatable doll, looking a bit deflated with light flex tied around it's neck.

Nowt stranger than folk.



Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[The_Exile]

........but it took on a bit more sinister turn when he also found an inflatable doll, looking a bit deflated with light flex tied around it's neck.

Did the light still work?

[Bostonhibby]

Did the light still work?I don't know, I'll go back and check [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Future17]

Completed on a house on Friday, as the title says the guys left me all his rubbish cupboard full sheds full lofts full and obviously with the way the world is just now getting rid is nigh on impossible, I’ve taken pictures videos and sent them to my solicitor who has raised it with their solicitor but the previous owner is not responding.

Anyone had any experience of this? I’m being told not to do anything I’m going to need to do something soon as I want to move in

Do you live in Scotland? If so, the Standard Clauses which form the basis of the purchase/sale contract require "vacant possession", so your seller appears to be in breach of contract.

Ultimately, if clearing the stuff costs you a large amount of money, you'd be able to raise court action against the seller to reimburse you for that. Make sure you keep copies of estimates, receipts etc. for any related cost.

You've probably done this anyway but if not make sure you are meticulous in checking the property for faults asap. Someone who would leave their stuff like that may also be the sort of person who wouldn't care about not declaring problems. Make sure you move everything to check behind it and under it in case things have been left to hide something major. You only have a very brief window to flag faults to the seller's solicitor.

Unfortunately there's unlikely to be a quick or easy solution but here's hoping!

[Sergio sledge]

When I was younger my parents bought a house with a basement and we went into the basement after moving in and found one of the rooms with some stuff still in it. Turns out they left, amongst other things, some WW2 gas masks, a large brass gong and frame for hanging it and two 19th century naval cannons, including canon balls. The lady who'd owned the house had died and her family had cleared most of it but they ran out of time before completion I think. They were happy for us to clear the final room, so my parents sold the canons and made a pretty decent amount from them.

When my parents went to get gas installed in the house we also found, after living in the house for a few months, that there was a live gas pipe in the basement with cling film and duct tape over the end....

[greenlex]

A couple of World war 2 German hand grenades left in a shed. Bomb disposal the lot involved. Thankfully duds.

[Dmas]

Do you live in Scotland? If so, the Standard Clauses which form the basis of the purchase/sale contract require "vacant possession", so your seller appears to be in breach of contract.

Ultimately, if clearing the stuff costs you a large amount of money, you'd be able to raise court action against the seller to reimburse you for that. Make sure you keep copies of estimates, receipts etc. for any related cost.

You've probably done this anyway but if not make sure you are meticulous in checking the property for faults asap. Someone who would leave their stuff like that may also be the sort of person who wouldn't care about not declaring problems. Make sure you move everything to check behind it and under it in case things have been left to hide something major. You only have a very brief window to flag faults to the seller's solicitor.

Unfortunately there's unlikely to be a quick or easy solution but here's hoping!

Cheers I’ve done this as best I can, forwarded pictures and videos to my solicitor who had in turn contacted the sellers solicitor...the seller is not responding.
I’ve been told not to do anything with the stuff (not difficult as it stands now) as it’s harder to get money back if the work has been done, so my kitchen is untouched and so is his rubbish, smoke detectors wired to the fuse box also go off if switched on at the box so I’m hopeful of something happening but I’ve not got the money to be dragging this guy through court so if that’s the outcome I’m probably going to be taking it on the chin

[LALthehibeeGAL]

Do you live in Scotland? If so, the Standard Clauses which form the basis of the purchase/sale contract require "vacant possession", so your seller appears to be in breach of contract.

Ultimately, if clearing the stuff costs you a large amount of money, you'd be able to raise court action against the seller to reimburse you for that. Make sure you keep copies of estimates, receipts etc. for any related cost.

You've probably done this anyway but if not make sure you are meticulous in checking the property for faults asap. Someone who would leave their stuff like that may also be the sort of person who wouldn't care about not declaring problems. Make sure you move everything to check behind it and under it in case things have been left to hide something major. You only have a very brief window to flag faults to the seller's solicitor.

Unfortunately there's unlikely to be a quick or easy solution but here's hoping!


spot on - what he said - :agree:

Because of the Covid19 situation it will be difficult to get clearances etc. but try and bide your time and ensure you have a note of everything and check behind/underneth all the stashed stuff - but a bill for the eventual clearance etc. can be issued to the seller/solicitor however it has been known whilst technically they are obliged under the missives to clear it or pay for you to many sellers are suddenly "not contactable" and have disappeared after the purchase!!
- we were left with a loft full of stuff and a shed full of stuff and the usual plastic bags in the rooms with stuff they couldn't be bothered taking.

[McD]

Cheers I’ve done this as best I can, forwarded pictures and videos to my solicitor who had in turn contacted the sellers solicitor...the seller is not responding.
I’ve been told not to do anything with the stuff (not difficult as it stands now) as it’s harder to get money back if the work has been done, so my kitchen is untouched and so is his rubbish, smoke detectors wired to the fuse box also go off if switched on at the box so I’m hopeful of something happening but I’ve not got the money to be dragging this guy through court so if that’s the outcome I’m probably going to be taking it on the chin


sadly the system as is favours the seller, as the buyer needs to take them to court if they either ignore the solicitor communications or deny all knowledge.


we got stung quite badly when we bought our house, firstly, many fixtures and fittings were part of the sale, but most had been removed. Also, On inspection of the empty house, we found a faulty tap, live bare electrical wiring, a shower leaking through the floor into the hall below, door locks with no keys, badly damaged laminate flooring which had been deliberately hidden under a large rug with a bed placed on top of that, an illegally built walk-in cupboard which I’m sure was being used to grow marijuana, some hidden badly completed paint jobs, front door frame damaged, amongst other things.

i contacted our (useless) solicitor who took down a list of 19 issues, when we got a response several weeks later, the seller had denied all of the damage, and claimed the missing fixtures and fittings would have needed replaced so just took them with him, prick. He also left a rotting and rotten bed frame, 2 chests of drawers and 2 tables that I had to get rid of.

[Dmas]

sadly the system as is favours the seller, as the buyer needs to take them to court if they either ignore the solicitor communications or deny all knowledge.


we got stung quite badly when we bought our house, firstly, many fixtures and fittings were part of the sale, but most had been removed. Also, On inspection of the empty house, we found a faulty tap, live bare electrical wiring, a shower leaking through the floor into the hall below, door locks with no keys, badly damaged laminate flooring which had been deliberately hidden under a large rug with a bed placed on top of that, an illegally built walk-in cupboard which I’m sure was being used to grow marijuana, some hidden badly completed paint jobs, front door frame damaged, amongst other things.

i contacted our (useless) solicitor who took down a list of 19 issues, when we got a response several weeks later, the seller had denied all of the damage, and claimed the missing fixtures and fittings would have needed replaced so just took them with him, prick. He also left a rotting and rotten bed frame, 2 chests of drawers and 2 tables that I had to get rid of.

I don’t think I’m far off that sort of standard my solicitor has already mentioned going through small claims court, I think I’m just going to need to put it down to experience gained and get on with it il be stuck with his rubbish for a while it seems so just going to go as best I can so o can get the family in ASAP

Cheers for the info and advice

[Jack]

When I've moved house, admittedly a while ago now, there was retention monies held back for this sort of thing.

I take it that's a thing of the past if your lawyer hasn't mentioned it.

[heretoday]

Found two WWI rifles hidden under the floorboards when we moved in.

We found a crossbow plus bolts in the corner of the attic when we moved in.

It was a top flat in a big old Edinburgh tenement with access to a cavernous attic.

I must admit I was tempted to take up a new hobby but we just took the thing to the local cop shop.

On reflection, we should have put it on E-Bay.

[McD]

I don’t think I’m far off that sort of standard my solicitor has already mentioned going through small claims court, I think I’m just going to need to put it down to experience gained and get on with it il be stuck with his rubbish for a while it seems so just going to go as best I can so o can get the family in ASAP

Cheers for the info and advice


sorry I couldn’t offer anything more positive mate

[Dmas]

When I've moved house, admittedly a while ago now, there was retention monies held back for this sort of thing.

I take it that's a thing of the past if your lawyer hasn't mentioned it.

I have also thought this was a thing, it does seem like it’s something only you and I know about though

[Dmas]

sorry I couldn’t offer anything more positive mate

Not at all, a weights been lifted after deciding to draw a line under it and just get on with the cards dealt

[Future17]

Cheers I’ve done this as best I can, forwarded pictures and videos to my solicitor who had in turn contacted the sellers solicitor...the seller is not responding.
I’ve been told not to do anything with the stuff (not difficult as it stands now) as it’s harder to get money back if the work has been done, so my kitchen is untouched and so is his rubbish, smoke detectors wired to the fuse box also go off if switched on at the box so I’m hopeful of something happening but I’ve not got the money to be dragging this guy through court so if that’s the outcome I’m probably going to be taking it on the chin

I totally understand that you might not want the hassle of taking legal action against the seller but, should you decide to do so, you can use "simple procedure" to keep your costs down. If you do this yourself, rather than using a solicitor, potentially you can make a successful claim for up to £5,000 for a fees of around £150.


spot on - what he said - :agree:

Because of the Covid19 situation it will be difficult to get clearances etc. but try and bide your time and ensure you have a note of everything and check behind/underneth all the stashed stuff - but a bill for the eventual clearance etc. can be issued to the seller/solicitor however it has been known whilst technically they are obliged under the missives to clear it or pay for you to many sellers are suddenly "not contactable" and have disappeared after the purchase!!
- we were left with a loft full of stuff and a shed full of stuff and the usual plastic bags in the rooms with stuff they couldn't be bothered taking.

Probably the best/funniest outcome I heard of was when the purchaser held a "yard sale" for all the stuff the seller had left. The seller was publicly humiliated to his former-neighbours and the purchaser made enough money from what was sold to cover the cost of disposing of what wasn't, with a wee profit to spare. :greengrin


When I've moved house, admittedly a while ago now, there was retention monies held back for this sort of thing.

I take it that's a thing of the past if your lawyer hasn't mentioned it.

Retentions are usually only used as a last resort when there is something which is known to be a problem at the time missives are concluded and which the seller is committing to rectify. Typically, this will be something technical (i.e. obtaining retrospective planning permission for work which the seller previously carried out). I've never heard of retentions being used for the prospect that the seller won't adhere to one of the most basis aspects of the contract (vacant possession).

Whilst there would be nothing stopping a potential purchaser from instructing their solicitor to include such a retention in the missives, the seller would typically reject any proposed retention if they felt it wasn't something that any purchaser would demand.

From the seller's perspective, a retention may interfere with their purchase if they're in a chain, plus they're usually in the stronger position of being able to find another purchaser for their property if needed. From the buyer's perspective, protracted negotiations over a retention will likely increase their solicitor's fees (even if they're on a "fixed" fee arrangement) for something that is not often a problem anyway.

[Dmas]

I totally understand that you might not want the hassle of taking legal action against the seller but, should you decide to do so, you can use "simple procedure" to keep your costs down. If you do this yourself, rather than using a solicitor, potentially you can make a successful claim for up to £5,000 for a fees of around £150.



Probably the best/funniest outcome I heard of was when the purchaser held a "yard sale" for all the stuff the seller had left. The seller was publicly humiliated to his former-neighbours and the purchaser made enough money from what was sold to cover the cost of disposing of what wasn't, with a wee profit to spare. :greengrin



Retentions are usually only used as a last resort when there is something which is known to be a problem at the time missives are concluded and which the seller is committing to rectify. Typically, this will be something technical (i.e. obtaining retrospective planning permission for work which the seller previously carried out). I've never heard of retentions being used for the prospect that the seller won't adhere to one of the most basis aspects of the contract (vacant possession).

Whilst there would be nothing stopping a potential purchaser from instructing their solicitor to include such a retention in the missives, the seller would typically reject any proposed retention if they felt it wasn't something that any purchaser would demand.

From the seller's perspective, a retention may interfere with their purchase if they're in a chain, plus they're usually in the stronger position of being able to find another purchaser for their property if needed. From the buyer's perspective, protracted negotiations over a retention will likely increase their solicitor's fees (even if they're on a "fixed" fee arrangement) for something that is not often a problem anyway.

thanks for that something else to look into, I've since left it to my solicitor I was planning on leaving it at that with them if they got back to me it'll be a bonus, but I'll have look into that see if it's worth my while since it's a smaller than expected amounts.

[Future17]

thanks for that something else to look into, I've since left it to my solicitor I was planning on leaving it at that with them if they got back to me it'll be a bonus, but I'll have look into that see if it's worth my while since it's a smaller than expected amounts.

Good luck - happy to help any way I can. :aok:

[G B Young]

Does my head in that folk can be so lazy and selfish.

If you could afford it you should try to find out where he moved to and have all his stuff delivered to him. Or if he's got a front garden, hire a tipper truck and dump it all there!

When we bought our current home there was a lot of s*** left behind but I was straight on to the solicitors and the sellers hired a skip and came round to clear it all out. Mind you the place was in such a state it wasn't much improved afterwards!

[Dmas]

Does my head in that folk can be so lazy and selfish.

If you could afford it you should try to find out where he moved to and have all his stuff delivered to him. Or if he's got a front garden, hire a tipper truck and dump it all there!

When we bought our current home there was a lot of s*** left behind but I was straight on to the solicitors and the sellers hired a skip and came round to clear it all out. Mind you the place was in such a state it wasn't much improved afterwards!

They moved to a hotel, no idea how that’s getting on now we just made the lockdown and no more, I spent a weekend moving out all my rubbish to the tip when moving out mine I don’t understand why that wouldn’t just be a normal thing to do, this house was listed in December sold in January they had plenty of time to pack and get rid of things infuriated me something rotten, but making small progress now, council agreed to come and lift all 4 of my bins and I’ve just to pack as much as I can into them, won’t shift stuff In the house or shed but I’ll be able to get my garden clear and child friendly so moving in day slowly but surely getting closer

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Do you live in Scotland? If so, the Standard Clauses which form the basis of the purchase/sale contract require "vacant possession", so your seller appears to be in breach of contract.

Ultimately, if clearing the stuff costs you a large amount of money, you'd be able to raise court action against the seller to reimburse you for that. Make sure you keep copies of estimates, receipts etc. for any related cost.

You've probably done this anyway but if not make sure you are meticulous in checking the property for faults asap. Someone who would leave their stuff like that may also be the sort of person who wouldn't care about not declaring problems. Make sure you move everything to check behind it and under it in case things have been left to hide something major. You only have a very brief window to flag faults to the seller's solicitor.

Unfortunately there's unlikely to be a quick or easy solution but here's hoping!

I would remove the bath panel to see what kid of Nik the floor is in!! We left it a bit too long and found the floor boards were black and pretty rotten. Had the floor tiled so only a small bit was visible

[Speedy]

I would remove the bath panel to see what kid of Nik the floor is in!! We left it a bit too long and found the floor boards were black and pretty rotten. Had the floor tiled so only a small bit was visible

Good advice. We did the same (left it too long) and had to replace the floorboards and leave the walls drying for over a week before getting any work done. Might've had to do that anyway right enough.

[McD]

I would remove the bath panel to see what kid of Nik the floor is in!! We left it a bit too long and found the floor boards were black and pretty rotten. Had the floor tiled so only a small bit was visible


Good advice. We did the same (left it too long) and had to replace the floorboards and leave the walls drying for over a week before getting any work done. Might've had to do that anyway right enough.


a previous owner had put in a diy shower cubicle, turns out the tiles hadn’t be regrouted for a long time and it was leaking into the false wall behind, which was then leaking out of the light fittings in the hall below. we noticed this 2 weeks after moving in.

Solicitor was a waste of air, and the house insurance refused to pay out as they deemed it to have been doing this since before we moved in, and that we’d have to take it up with the previous owner (prick who refused to acknowledge any of the other issues he’d left behind), so cost us over 2 grand to get the whole thing ripped out completely and a proper shower enclosure put in

[pollution]

a previous owner had put in a diy shower cubicle, turns out the tiles hadn’t be regrouted for a long time and it was leaking into the false wall behind, which was then leaking out of the light fittings in the hall below. we noticed this 2 weeks after moving in.

Solicitor was a waste of air, and the house insurance refused to pay out as they deemed it to have been doing this since before we moved in, and that we’d have to take it up with the previous owner (prick who refused to acknowledge any of the other issues he’d left behind), so cost us over 2 grand to get the whole thing ripped out completely and a proper shower enclosure put in


Was there any mention of this in the home report you would have seen before you bought it?