What condition should the house and garden be in when you complete?

Jaymzrsa

We are soon to complete and we went for a look around for measurements and when we were there we noticed that the house was in a general dirty condition (dusty, kitchen grimy) and the garden has not been looked at in about 3 months and is a miniature jungle.

So the question is, what should I expect, to find it like it is now or is it reasonable to expect the house and garden to be in a good clean state and garden maintained?

Grimbal

AFAIK, there is no set expectation/guideline for condition of the property wrt cleanliness & upkeep. Items listed on the inventory as "in working order" are different though. Is it just the general untidyness & state of the place or do you think some of the services/goods in there are not as declared?

p00hsticks

Unless you have made it a condition of the sale that it's cleaned and the garden tidied, I'd expect to find it exactly the same - if they can't manage to keep a property they own clean and tidy, why would they when they move out ?

Of course, you might be pleasantly surprised - but I'd say expect the worst and then you won't be disappointed

hazyjo

Ours was filthy when we moved in - despite her giving the impression she was very houseproud. Cobwebs in every corner, and the kitchen cupboards were gross inside. Wish we'd paid for professional cleaners to go in on Day 1!

If it looks like that now, I doubt very much it'll be spotless when you move in.

Jx

G_M

There is a legal requirement.

The property must be in the same state and condition at Completion as it was on the day Contracts were Exchanged.

Since many people view the property several weeks or even months before Exchanging, proof, and hence enforcement, can be difficult.

zara*elise

Expect the worst. You'd think most people would clear up, especially once furniture has been moved out, but it's very likely that now they know they're moving they've let housework go. If you think it'll be as bad as it is either book a cleaner or ask a few friends to bring round the marigolds!

Unless you've specified the house or garden to be in a certain condition there are no real rules on levels of cleanliness. What's celan to one could be onsidered filthy to another

Barneysmom

Have you asked her why she's let the place go so much. If she thinks you might considerpulling out of the sale due to her laziness she might pull her finger out and get it done.


This house I have to say was disgusting.
There was a film of grease all over the kitchen, like the cupboard doors had never been cleaned.
We were lucky in that we knew we were ripping it out anyway so it didn't matter so much.

One of the things that annoyed me and couldn't be helped, they had about 50 horse brasses all round the top of the bay window.
Ofcourse they took them when they left but removing 50 nails and filling them was a nuisance.
Plus the clean patches they left (in the front room) meant we have to redecorate straight away which then meant we had to recarpet. Grr the expense so soon after moving.

G_M

Barneysmom wrote: »

Have you asked her why she's let the place go so much. If she thinks you might considerpulling out of the sale due to her laziness she might pull her finger out and get it done.


This house I have to say was disgusting.
There was a film of grease all over the kitchen, like the cupboard doors had never been cleaned.
We were lucky in that we knew we were ripping it out anyway so it didn't matter so much.

One of the things that annoyed me and couldn't be helped, they had about 50 horse brasses all round the top of the bay window.
Ofcourse they took them when they left but removing 50 nails and filling them was a nuisance.
Plus the clean patches they left (in the front room) meant we have to redecorate straight away which then meant we had to recarpet. Grr the expense so soon after moving.

Personally I'd rather buy a house in disgusting condition (and agree price accordingly) and then redecorate.

EVERY house, when emptied of furniture, pictures, rugs (and brass horses) etc removed, turns out to be in a far worse state than when fully furnished. So you need to clean extensivlely and probobly redecorate anyway.

charltonkeston

Look on it as you are buying the 4 walls. A couple of days cleaning and tidying and it will be in the state you expected it. You are going to have to do it anyway.

googler

If you're buying in Scotland, and the solicitors conclude missives based on one of the standard missives, then this is included as a contract clause;

"The property is to be left in a clean and tidy condition at settlement."

GDB2222

G_M wrote: »

There is a legal requirement.

The property must be in the same state and condition at Completion as it was on the day Contracts were Exchanged.

I'm not convinced about that. You're expected to complete even if the place has burned down to the ground! That's why you should insure it from exchange onwards. Some contracts specify that the seller will continue their insurance and the buyer will have the benefit of any claims, though.