Vendor won't clear property

hannhol

Thanks to all those who have suggested we can make it a condition of sale. For various reasons, that I don't want to go into, it would be very difficult for us to clear the property. The owner is elderly but does have family support and they are handling the sale.

Most of the furniture is very large and would probably have to be dismantled to get it out of the property. However, thanks also to those that have given suggestions as to what me might do, should the seller not budge.

LisaLou1982

hannhol wrote: »

that's a little unfair. we only just received the F&F Form and we have said at every step so far that we would prefer the property to be clear. we were not told in advance of this that they were just going to disregard this and leave the items in without at least asking.

For example on a third viewing of the property, after the offer had been made and accepted, survey done and mortgage approved we spoke to the estate agent who asked us about whether we still wanted the furniture cleared and we said yes. they said it wouldn't be a problem. I appreciate it might not be the EA's responsibility, but that's hardly us bring it up at the last minute.

You said in your OP that the sellers had been stringing things out and that you were getting tired of having to accommodate them. That made me think that you were a way into the process.

If you have only just received the form and therefore have only just started the sale then it is not unreasonable for you to state to your solicitor that you have told both the agent and the vendor that you want the house empty on completion

dimbo61

If you really want the property and the price reflects the current condition and amount of junk in the place then Smile and grit your teeth.
Once it is yours get a few friends in to clear the place.
man with a van £50/80 to remove or contact the local charity groups.

hannhol

LisaLou1982 wrote: »

You said in your OP that the sellers had been stringing things out and that you were getting tired of having to accommodate them. That made me think that you were a way into the process.

If you have only just received the form and therefore have only just started the sale then it is not unreasonable for you to state to your solicitor that you have told both the agent and the vendor that you want the house empty on completion

we have only just received the form because it has taken a long time to get them to send it to us... hence my comment about stringing it out. but thank you for clairfying

dimbo61

Has the owner passed away and the family are now trying to sell the property and deal with Mum or Dads stuff?
If there are lots of relatives this can take time to get sorted

hannhol

No, the owner is still alive. From what we have been told they have moved into a home nearer to family, who don't live in London. The family are helping with the sale, although the owner is still the one signing on the dotted line so to speak.

It's just annoying because we have made it very clear from the off set that we don't want the furniture (we said it to the estate agent at the second viewing), we also don't want to have to get rid of a cooker and washing machine (and ensure the connections are safe) and have turned down offers to keep them repeatedly. To then get the F&F form saying it's all staying whether we like it or not was a bit of a surprise.

LisaLou1982

hannhol wrote: »

we have only just received the form because it has taken a long time to get them to send it to us... hence my comment about stringing it out. but thank you for clairfying

Ah I see

Not ideal at all!! I can understand from the vendors POV that it will be difficult for them to clear if they dont live in the area so probably dont want the hassle of doing it. However, its unfair if you have said from the beginning that you wanted it clear.

Would it be a problem for you to clear on completion? If cost is a problem, you could ask them to pay for it and ask for a key under taking so that you could get it done between exchange and completion. Alternatively, you could ask the vendors solicitors if they will hold back the cost of clearance so that can be paid from the proceeds of the sale.

POPPYOSCAR

hannhol wrote: »

that's a little unfair. we only just received the F&F Form and we have said at every step so far that we would prefer the property to be clear. we were not told in advance of this that they were just going to disregard this and leave the items in without at least asking.

For example on a third viewing of the property, after the offer had been made and accepted, survey done and mortgage approved we spoke to the estate agent who asked us about whether we still wanted the furniture cleared and we said yes. they said it wouldn't be a problem. I appreciate it might not be the EA's responsibility, but that's hardly us bring it up at the last minute.

Prefer and must have are two different things.

hannhol

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Prefer and must have are two different things.

I admit it, we are too polite to buy a house ;-)

Blondygirl

Hi,

I feel for you as I was in a similar situation myself about 9 years ago. The property I was buying had previously been let & the last tenant had left loads of junk in there & 2 beds that were horrible & a shed full of stuff. At the beginning of the process the vendor via he agent promised he would clear it, however 4 days off completion I got a call from the agent to say he was too busy & could not deal with it. Plus the fact he said he didn't see why he should as it was not his stuff! Several hours of frantic phone calls & I finally agreed to clear it myself & pay for it to keep the whole thing moving. The vendor agreed via the agent for me to be able to collect the keys to the house the day before completion for a few hours so that I could clear it, I couldn't do it on completion day as I was not a FTB. I collected the keys a day early, the house clearance came cost me about £80 I think they removed the stuff & before I left I took the opertuntiy to hover everywhere & get it all clean while I was there. A few days after I had moved in I did get a Thank You card from the vendor with a £20 M & S voucher in, by way as a appology & a thanks for dealing with it. Some say I should have made him deal with it but I just wanted to keep it all together & in the scheme of things it worked out ok.

Best of luck.