New house is full of seller's junk!

Stevlar

As per the title really. We completed on our first house purchase today, and went straight to the house after work to find it still had a lot of the seller's property.

None of it is big or important, just a load of old glasses and crockery in the kitchen (as well as the world's supply of sugar packets!), a load of broken toys and general waste in the garden. The loft is, however, almost full! Clothes, housewares, a motorbike helmet and suit, jewellery and silver trinkets, Christmas decorations, the list is endless!

While I'm not exactly happy to have to deal with all the junk in the kitchen and garden, it's not the end of the world. But do I have any obligation to track down the seller to see if she wants to have all the stuff from the loft back? I don't want it there, but I don't want to tip it in case there is something important there.

And I thought once we'd completed it would get easier!

[Deleted User]

You should make a minimal effort to contact the seller and ask if they want to collect it. If not, get rid of it.

Hoploz

Perhaps a message via the estate agent to ask whether they have forgotten the stuff in the loft etc? You could give a deadline eg please collect within 7 days or we will get rid of it.

terryw

OK. This sort of thing is far more normal than you can imagine.

Suggest that you send a letter with proof of posting to the guys solitors asking the guy or themselves to pick up the junk left behind. Ask if it would be easier for them if you you drop the stuff at their offices. Then see if anything happens

Either way report back here.

AdrianC

No, your house contains a lot of YOUR junk...

By all means tell the vendor that they've left a lot of stuff, and they're welcome to collect it - but don't tell them what, and don't let them cherry-pick. All or nothing. They clear the rubbish, they get the stuff they might want too.

2nd_mortgage

It's your house now. I would treat everything inside it as mine (unless previously agreed). Sell it on eBay or give it away on freecycle or skip it - it's your choice.

pinkshoes

I've made £200 so far selling on the vendor's stuff that was left!

It's yours now.

sell anything of value, then get a skip for the rest and bill the vendor!

DRP

AdrianC wrote: »

No, your house contains a lot of YOUR junk...

By all means tell the vendor that they've left a lot of stuff, and they're welcome to collect it - but don't tell them what, and don't let them cherry-pick. All or nothing. They clear the rubbish, they get the stuff they might want too.

yep, do this. allow them a decent opportunity to collect, then bin/sell.

i bet they won't.

starlitegaize

You could write to them via the EA or solicitor and suggest that this should have been cleared out on completion, and that you'll have their stuff removed and send them the bill.

rosie383

I think it is fair to at least let them know that they left the stuff in the loft. They may well have woken up this morning and realised that they totally forgot to clear the loft. I'm sure it is easily done when you are packing up the whole house.
The other stuff left in the garden and kitchen is just plain wrong though. That was pure laziness, the loft may have been genuine oversight and there may be precious things which they would hate to lose. Likely not though. I'm pretty sure most of the stuff in our loft is due for the tip once we clear it!