Exessive items left by previous owners on new house purchase

freestyle_3

I am looking for advice.

During the purchase of a new flat, the previous owners who were devorcing managed to leave the place in a total mess (which we expected to be honest) but they have left us with enough items that we require a skip to get rid of it all.

This includes a broken dishwasher, bikes etc.

We complained to our solicitor as soon as we got the keys, however they seem to think that nothing can really be done !

This totally amazes me, if I had it my way I would have liked to inspect the property prior to them transfering the money. It would seem this is not how new purchases work.

Any advice ? Can I take them to small claims ?

Canucklehead

Good morning: Here is what we did in a similar situation...
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3478358&postcount=12

HTH

Canucklehead

tomstickland

To me it'd depend on how much I paid and how much I thought the flat was really worth. ie: if I got it cheap then I'd just cart the junk down to the tip in a number of car journeys or borrow a trailer. If I'd paid top money for it then I'd get !!!!y about the cost of clearing it out.

ixwood

Can you not take it down to a tip, instead of a skip?

Anything good left in there to make up for it? When I brought, the guy left pretty much everything as he hadn't been living there. As well as some junk, also got a washing machine, lawn mower and loads of good quality tools.

CYBERCIDERSAVER

Another option would be freecycle anything that is useable but not necessarily saleable.

lynzpower

or sell stuff on ebay and make money for your troubles Ive sold quite few things on ebay over the years. :money:

PasturesNew

When you took possession it was for "vacant possession" which it isn't.

Therefore (I didn't read the other poster's link further up this page to what they did), it would be reasonable that you can have it all carted off and send them the bill.

The same for any damage done in their move out. They are under contractual obligation to put that right if necessary. I remember spotting that clause when I signed my papers when I sold.

nick22abdn

Just hire a van for £50 for the day. Get a mate to help you clear it - buy him dinner for the trouble. Take it to the skip.

Bought about 5 places in the last 6 months. Every single one of them had unwanted junk left. It really isn't worth the hassle - just remove it yourself

nick22abdn

By the way - vacant posession means that there will be no-one living there ie. no tenants, previous owners moved out etc. It means nothing about furniture

Canucklehead

Good morning: The Fixtures,Fittings and Contents Form (4th. Edition - part of the Law Society's Transaction Scheme) used in our last 4 property transactions (and part of the contract) clearly stated above the seller's signature line 'You are also responsible for removing all of your possessions, including rubbish,from the property, the garage, the garden and any outbuildings or sheds' see a similar example here (page 5 of document)http://www.sprattendicott.co.uk/residential-property/forms/fixtures-fittings.pdf
If your seller has signed a similar document don't let him/her take you for a mug, assert your rights!

HTH

Canucklehead

MrsJ2008

Have you contacted the council? They take away large items for free.

You phone a number and you book with them what to collect and when (usually about a week later0.

Previously i've had a large freedge/freezer collected and a 3 piece suite.

My council (Sefton) will only take 3 items at a time and won't take fixtures i.e., sanitaryware.