HELP! problems after buying a flat

samschicken

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a flat and have enountered problems mainly due to the seller and previous tenant.

• the seller has left a large metal bed frame for me to dispose of. i have informed my solicitor of this and she has just passed it on the sellers solicitor
• There is a balcony has a double glazed door entrance. however the seller has not left the keys to me in order to lock this door. Having phoned the seller, he has stated that he is trying to contact his tenant to find the keys. In the mean time the house is unsafe. If i have to change the locks on this door, surely he must be liable for this cost? Again ive informed my solicitor who has informed the sellers solicitor
• There are bailiff letters for the previous tenant regarding unpaid council tax and they now have a warrant to take posessions. How do i sort this out?

im a first time buyer so would appreciate any help and advice on this.

Regards,

sooz

samschicken wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a flat and have enountered problems mainly due to the seller and previous tenant.

• the seller has left a large metal bed frame for me to dispose of. i have informed my solicitor of this and she has just passed it on the sellers solicitor

Freecycle. Insist on dismantling & collection. Ask them to bring tools.

• There is a balcony has a double glazed door entrance. however the seller has not left the keys to me in order to lock this door. Having phoned the seller, he has stated that he is trying to contact his tenant to find the keys. In the mean time the house is unsafe. If i have to change the locks on this door, surely he must be liable for this cost? Again ive informed my solicitor who has informed the sellers solicitor

Is the balcony unlocked? If so, then just change the lock. Go to a locksmith with the old lock & ask for a new one like that. You could bill the vendor for this, but it will cost you more in solicitor's letters than the cost of one new lock.

• There are bailiff letters for the previous tenant regarding unpaid council tax and they now have a warrant to take posessions. How do i sort this out?

Call the council & let them know what date you completed & when you moved in. Ask them to call off the bailiffs. Confirm this in writing, both to the council & the bailiffs.
im a first time buyer so would appreciate any help and advice on this.

Regards,

If the tenant has a set of keys (to the balcony), & is in debt I'd suggest you change ALL the locks. Get a family member/friend to help, & house sit whilst you buy new locks. Take all old locks off (as for balcony), and take all locks to locksmith. Ask for new ones. Get home & screw them in. Much easier & cheaper than calling a locksmith out

tbs624

There 's a human tendency when moving into a new home, to feel "tired & emotional", and it makes things seem more of a problem than they actually are.

Sooz's post is good. Most people prefer to change locks when they move into a new property, and that's especially the case if the property has been tenanted & you don't know how many people may hold a key,as the realist says.

poppysarah

Put the bed thing on freecycle.
Change all the locks.
Put letters back in post with "not at this address"