Buyer threatening civil claim after completion...

ACG

Were the bulbs in when they viewed the property/exchanged contracts?
If not, you have nothing to worry about, if they were then strictly speaking you probably should go and take them 2 bulbs... Petty and if they take you to court over 2 bulbs I would be very surprised.

Was the dent there when they viewed/exchanged? If so, nothing to worry about. If not, then you probably need to pay to get that fixed.

They would need to show it was dirty enough to need to pay a cleaner (and show cleaners costs).

Lurkingtoposting17

Crikey. If these buyers had my house they would have had a heart attack. My seller left loft, garden and shed full of rubbish and the shower thermostat wasn’t working.
I fixed and didn’t complain, one of those things.
Please ignore them. Would cost her more to bring action against you than she would be awarded. If she feels the need to follow up with court action, let them waste her money!

G_M

Do not respond. Any reply at all will simply kick off an endless pointless exchange of texts, emails, whatever.

Ignore. totally.


Just to be clear, is this in England/Wales?

fiisch

Our buyers previously owned a flat outright (not a new build) and were using a shared ownership scheme to buy our house (4 bed house) as they had a daughter.

Lightbulbs and dent had been the same situation for awhile - certainly before we listed on the market. The ceiling rose/pendant were still there - I would have replaced the lightbulbs but I completely forgot we'd removed them as had got used to living without (there was another hallway lightbulb so it still illuminated, just not as brightly).

In terms of cleanliness, we scrubbed skirting boards, hoovered before and after removal men had finished etc etc.... House is in England.

ACG

fiisch wrote: »

Our buyers previously owned a flat outright (not a new build) and were using a shared ownership scheme to buy our house (4 bed house) as they had a daughter.

Lightbulbs and dent had been the same situation for awhile - certainly before we listed on the market. The ceiling rose/pendant were still there - I would have replaced the lightbulbs but I completely forgot we'd removed them as had got used to living without (there was another hallway lightbulb so it still illuminated, just not as brightly).

In terms of cleanliness, we scrubbed skirting boards, hoovered before and after removal men had finished etc etc.... House is in England.

I would just leave it until court papers pop through the post (I doubt they will). As above, just ignore it.

If they are prepared to go to court over 2 lightbulbs a dent and some mess/dirt, I would be surprised. They also have to prove the bulbs were there when the offer was made/exchange took place, the dent was not there at the same time and there was a mess which incurred a cost to clean up.

In court, it would be he said she said without any evidence.

antilles

What a nerve! No way is the buyer going to risk a court case going against them for 2 light bulbs, a dent, and a clean. They are bluffing and hoping you will cave in. Once you say yes they will come up with a whole other list of demands and have you running backwards and forwards.

If you say yes to anything at any point it might be taken as evidence that you agree with what they are saying.

It's completely up to them to check the property before signing for exchange/completion.

File it in the bin and forget about it.

SpiderLegs

Your buyers sound like proper weirdos. I would take G_Ms advice and stay well clear.

Jrose1927

That's ridiculous complaing about 2 missing light bulbs

Some people don't even clean don't worry about it!

AnotherJoe

Anyone here recall the post from the buyer who wanted new carpets because previous owners furniture had left dents in it ?

ethank

Don’t think they’ve got a hope of persuading a judge in a civil claim.

1. Two missing lightbulbs on the landing (Seriously????? - A couple of pounds? They’ve not made a loss)
2. Slight impression in plasterboard from a door handle (builders didn’t put a doorstop due to shape of the hallway); (Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware. Should have thoroughly checked issues before exchange, or obtained a survey, and asked you to fix it before exchange! Too late!)
3. Unclean; (Sure no one wants to leave a property with people thinking they are dirty, but unless they provided for the property to be clean in the sales contract - they have not got a hope)
4. Aerial points not working upstairs. (Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware. Should have tested before exchange, and asked you to fix it before exchange! Too late!)