vendors leaving rubbish in the garage

the_salmon

We have completed and moved in and in the garage have found a skips worth of rubbish (at least) as well as an old freezer and tumble dryer, both of which we do not want or need, and no mention of them on the PIF!!

We have gone back to our solicitor who has contacted theirs and got no response first time, we have now asked again for them to make contact and they have done today. Our solicitors have said after this it is up to us to sort and we should instruct a property litigator solicitor.

We don't want this hassle but don't want the expense of clearing out their stuff. I have taken photos and I am certain that they could not argue that the left it in a clean and tidy state for us.

Has anyone any advice on any other ways to approach it? Should we give it a couple of days and contact the sellers solicitors direct? should we try and track down the sellers through the estate agents? It doesn't help that its a divorce that caused the sale so both sellers dont get on too well with each other!

Any help would be appreciated

reehsetin

I'm not a lawyer, personally I would - write to them one last time giving them 7 days to remove otherwise you'll pursue them through the small claims court for the costs of disposing of the rubbish

If they ignore you then a quick claim through small claims

Guest101

the_salmon wrote: »

We have completed and moved in and in the garage have found a skips worth of rubbish (at least) as well as an old freezer and tumble dryer, both of which we do not want or need, and no mention of them on the PIF!!

We have gone back to our solicitor who has contacted theirs and got no response first time, we have now asked again for them to make contact and they have done today. Our solicitors have said after this it is up to us to sort and we should instruct a property litigator solicitor.

We don't want this hassle but don't want the expense of clearing out their stuff. I have taken photos and I am certain that they could not argue that the left it in a clean and tidy state for us.

Has anyone any advice on any other ways to approach it? Should we give it a couple of days and contact the sellers solicitors direct? should we try and track down the sellers through the estate agents? It doesn't help that its a divorce that caused the sale so both sellers dont get on too well with each other!

Any help would be appreciated

When you have a dispute, you need to resolve it.

Whilst clearly this is rubbish, you cannot throw it away without permission. So you need to contact the sellers, and ask for payment, or it to be removed. Provide a certain timeframe. Then remove it.

However, as they were obliged to provide vacant possesion, they have failed in that duty, so obviously the costs can be gotten back for any loss you have suffered.

If you cant sort it between you and the sellers, follow the advice of your conveyancer. Be prepared to either sue, or absorb the cost.

christineperseus

Surely you must have an address for one of them - not all post gets redirected properly.

King_Slayer

the_salmon wrote: »

Our solicitors have said after this it is up to us to sort and we should intstruct a property litigator solicitor.

Any help would be appreciated

If the property was purchased with vacant possessions, I would like to believe that your Solicitor will still be responsible for ensuring the completion met these criterias? Why would you need to hire a property litigator when the vendors did not adhere to the agreement?

Guest101

King_Slayer wrote: »

If the property was purchased with vacant possessions, I would like to believe that your Solicitor will still be responsible for ensuring the completion met these criterias? Why would you need to hire a property litigator when the vendors did not adhere to the agreement?

Because conveyancers aren't going to start legal action. A proper firm would have litigation specialists, but this one doesn't seem to

moneyistooshorttomention

Is their new house near enough that you could borrow a truck to put their stuff on and "do them the favour" of returning it to their new front garden?

silvercar

The last 2 houses we bought, we had unexpected "gifts" from the previous owners. The last one was a garage full of rubbish- half was recycled and the rest taken to the skip. The previous home was a loft full of stuff, that again we emptied over a period of time.

Sometimes the aggravation is not worth pursuing the guilty. Time to move on and enjoy your new home.

kev25v6

Just get a skip and get rid, so much less hassle. Any metal the scrap man will come collect for free.

PasturesNew

I bought a house 15 years ago and found the loft full of grubby old furniture and the garage contained a dead chest freezer and assorted bits/bobs. I just called a household clearance bloke to take it away .... not worth the time/hassle of trying to get last owners to sort it or pay for it.

the_salmon

Thanks for your comments all.

Pretty great that people can take the pi*s and get away with it. We are seeing what the council will take away and will now spend a few days off running to the tip and back.

I hope the sellers experience some karma...