Storing vendors stuff

Rambosmum

We're part way through the purchase of a house, having accepted an offer on ours and at a point we could exchange, just waiting on our vendors.


Property was originally chain free but as things go this is no longer the case. Vendors purchase is going slow due to issues further up the chain. We've got the vendor to agree to 'break the chain' and sell to us now and make her purchase later. She's arranged to move in with a relative but the sticking block is her stuff. She has asked if we could store it. In theory I have no issue with this. The property has a very large, very dry garage it could easily all go, we won't need the garage as the house is considerably bigger than we currently have, we don't currently have a garage.


We have suggested that a deed is drawn up by our solicitor at her expense stating a 3 months agreement of free storage (additional time by negotiation), not covered by our insurance and admittance by mutual agreement (we'll be changing all locks on completion.


Is this a really stupid idea? Seems a small price to pay to get things moving.


Our buyers have threatened to pull out if things don't get moving quickly, it'll be the second set to pull out if they do (due to slow progression).


Any advice or words of warning?

davidmcn

Do you know what the "stuff" is? i.e. is it reasonable to presume that she will come back for it, or is it really just junk she might leave you to dispose of?

What if she doesn't pick up the stuff after three months? Better to negotiate a fee now, even if it only kicks in after an initial free period.

nimbo

Surely she'd be better off paying for a self storage place? It's insured. Safe she can access whenever she wants. You're protected if something gets damaged or the garage is broken into....

It might be a ball ache - but what would happen if she came back and said her diamond tiara has gone missing. And it was definitely in their box in your garage? I realise an extreme - but it's a possibility.

Also when decorating how useful is a garage going to be for storage etc?

It might make it easier for now (for her) - but there's no gaurentee her sale would happen in 3 months. Or 6.... what happens when 9 months down the line her 'new' property is riddled with knotweed or has the roof blown off making if unbuyable and she's popping round every week to get a few bits? And you want the garage space?

Mojisola

davidmcn wrote: »

What if she doesn't pick up the stuff after three months? Better to negotiate a fee now, even if it only kicks in after an initial free period.

And think about the maximum length of time you'd like to store her stuff and write in the contract what will happen to her stuff if it's still there beyond that time - or if she doesn't pay you for storage.

Normally it's best to stay away from complications like this but, as the stuff can be stored out your way and she agrees to a signed contract, I'd go for it to speed the sale through.

Rosemary7391

Could you get a deposit from her on the understanding that if it isn't gone by X date, you'll use the deposit to pay for it to be removed and disposed of? And she gets it back as soon as it is gone.

Rambosmum

davidmcn wrote: »

Do you know what the "stuff" is? i.e. is it reasonable to presume that she will come back for it, or is it really just junk she might leave you to dispose of?

What if she doesn't pick up the stuff after three months? Better to negotiate a fee now, even if it only kicks in after an initial free period.

Don't know how to multi quote but to answer questions so far - 'stuff' is sofa, wardrobes, bed some boxes of belongings. We've stipulated nothing valuable, no jewellery or electronics essentially only things which take up room and require a van to move. Anything that can be moved in a car has to go with her.


What happens after, we've suggested and are awaiting solicitor advice, that ongoing storage is by mutual agreement with a 28day cancellation from us, after which we'll destroy it (our cars will easily get stuff to the tip at no extra charge.


I don't see us needing the space for a very long time as there is a brick outbuilding which is easier for us to access that the garage is and other storage too. We're moving from a small 2 bed to a very large 4 bed with 2 cellar rooms and a few outbuildings, so doubt it'll come up as an issue to be honest.


We aren't interested in making money from it, just getting the sale done.

Rambosmum

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Could you get a deposit from her on the understanding that if it isn't gone by X date, you'll use the deposit to pay for it to be removed and disposed of? And she gets it back as soon as it is gone.

I like that idea, thanks

PasturesNew

Better of in self storage, where it's properly "covered", insured, protected, insulated - and no issues if she wishes to extend.

She'd also have 24/7 access potential and "drive up to the door" access, without having to bother you .... especially if her chain then takes longer and she's increasingly popping in to get something out of storage....

,.... by late December, when you see a Xmas Tree wobbling past your window when you're sitting there in your bath towel relaxing ... you might wish you'd gone down the "keep it professional" route.

We'd all LIKE to be helpful .... but that can bite you.

Rambosmum

nimbo wrote: »

Surely she'd be better off paying for a self storage place? It's insured. Safe she can access whenever she wants. You're protected if something gets damaged or the garage is broken into....

Yes, she probably would be. But it's a bit of a strange situation, I think she's very stressed with the whole thing. It's a messy divorce, three kids with ASD, lots going on, lots of debt etc I think having to organise two lots of movers might send her over the edge. Plus we've got the house at waaaaay under market value due to the situation so I'm happy to help her out.

steampowered

If it is only a sofa, a wardrobe and a couple of belongings that sounds fine to me.

What's the worst that you could happen? The worst case scenario is that the stuff is sitting there for longer than the agreed 28 days.

As you don't need the space right now that's not the end of the world.

Red-Squirrel_2

Rambosmum wrote: »

Yes, she probably would be. But it's a bit of a strange situation, I think she's very stressed with the whole thing. It's a messy divorce, three kids with ASD, lots going on, lots of debt etc I think having to organise two lots of movers might send her over the edge. Plus we've got the house at waaaaay under market value due to the situation so I'm happy to help her out.

Does she know that some storage places will come round and remove the stuff and put it in the unit for you at no extra cost? Then bring it back to you when you want it?

This is just one of the first google results.
https://boxman.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzeCAz4rF1QIV6Z3tCh1OWgTtEAAYBCAAEgLW3fD_BwE