Help please - Issues with house after completion of contracts

marcusjames

Recently completed contracts on a house. After collecting the keys, I noticed the vendor had taken some white goods, but left a Stena chair lift installed (which was agreed to be removed). A building contractor charged £200 to remove the item as the vendor had also felt a need to take the key.

I viewed the house a few days prior to completion but the vendor had not managed to empty the property. He did this the day of completion!!

The estate agent have washed their hands of it. I tried through my solicitor but the vendor's solicitor is not replying to letters. I do not know the contact details of the vendor as it was his mother's house he was selling.

I know some would recommend I walk away and forget it, but on principle I want to get to a resolution. I have rented the house out on promise of white goods being in place. I will therefore be in for £400-500 of unexpected costs to correct.

Can anyone advise a way to get the vendor's contact details. I tried his solicitor directly but they won't take my calls.

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

G_M

marcusjames wrote: »

.. After collecting the keys, I noticed the vendor had taken some white goods,I assume these had been agreed IN THE CONTRACT to be left?? but left a Stena chair lift installed (which was agreed to be removed)in WRITING in the contract (or F&F list)?. A building contractor charged £200 to remove the item as the vendor had also felt a need to take the key.Did you not consider selling it back to Stenna - they buy them back you know!

I viewed the house a few days prior to completion but the vendor had not managed to empty the property. He did this the day of completion!!Normal in 98% of sales

The estate agent have washed their hands of it.not his business, and anyway he is the VENDOR'S agent, not yours I tried through my solicitor but the vendor's solicitor is not replying to letters. I do not know the contact details of the vendor as it was his mother's house he was selling.

....
Can anyone advise a way to get the vendor's contact details. I tried his solicitor directly but they won't take my calls.correct - they will only deal with your solicitor

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Was all this in the contract?
If so, what does your solicitor say?
Sounds like you will have to sue - provided in the contract you should win. Keep all receipts so you can claim.

But yes, you have to find the vendor in order to sue. Again, what does your solicitor say?

the contact details of the vendor as it was his mother's house he was selling.

Was he selling using POA, or had the mother died? What address was on the Land Reg Title? Was there an address on the Contract, or any other documents/letters provided by the vendor other than the purchase property?
Do you know anything about him? Was he local? Occupation?
Do you know what removal company he used on the day (and can you pursuade them to......)?

I'm not an expert in data protection but believe companies (eg the estate agent) can (must?) reveal data where it is to support legal action (ie you are suing the vendor) - but I may well be wrong about this. Again, discuss with your solicitor.

marcusjames

G_M wrote: »

Was all this in the contract?
If so, what does your solicitor say?
Sounds like you will have to sue - provided in the contract you should win. Keep all receipts so you can claim.

But yes, you have to find the vendor in order to sue. Again, what does your solicitor say?
Was he selling using POA, or had the mother died? What address was on the Land Reg Title? Was there an address on the Contract, or any other documents/letters provided by the vendor other than the purchase property?
Do you know anything about him? Was he local? Occupation?
Do you know what removal company he used on the day (and can you pursuade them to......)?

I'm not an expert in data protection but believe companies (eg the estate agent) can (must?) reveal data where it is to support legal action (ie you are suing the vendor) - but I may well be wrong about this. Again, discuss with your solicitor.

Thanks.

There was no address on the contract, only his name. No joy on google. I know he lives on the other side of the country as the agent let that slip during the process. He did the removals on his own.

The contract stated the white goods would remain but made no reference to the chairlift. The contract did list ALL items so I had wrongly assumed he would remove the lift.

My solicitor says I have a case but he can do no more than continually write to the vendor's solicitor.

marcusjames

As for the lift, it was Stena who removed it. Apparently it was too old for resale etc. It did look very old.

G_M

marcusjames wrote: »

As for the lift, it was Stena who removed it. Apparently it was too old for resale etc. It did look very old.

You've been had - they will re-sell it!

If you did not get the removal of the stairlift in writing you'll have no claim for that, so it's just the white goods.

To be honest the 2nd hand value of a fridge, a washing machine etc will be peanuts £30-50 each on ebay? Not worth the effort!

MacMickster

You could probably have got between £100 and £200 for the scrap metal value of the stairlift and track instead of paying to have it taken away.

I the peous occupant had passed away then I suspect that you may be able to find the vendor's address from the probate office. The vendor must have obtained probate to be able to sell the property. I am surprised that your solicitor did not need to see (and retain a copy of) the grant of probate.