FTB - storing vendors furniture until lockdown over

valuepack

Hi all
Partner and I are FTB and the vendor was renting out the 2 bed house we've bought as fully furnished to tenants that were due to leave 23rd April. We had our offer accepted in Feb and the EA advised all the furniture was also for sale and invited us to bid for anything we want after our second viewing. We're currently renting a 2 bed 2nd floor flat on an unfurnished basis (except white goods which the landlord owns) so we already have furniture, however we agreed to buy the vendor's white goods for convenience, they're not great but at least have something to use when we arrive and can replace them one by one. The other furniture items are fairly cheap and basic. Corona has understandably slowed the purchase process but because 

The tenants left last week as planned (we feared they might not go due to corona), my partner is a key worker and can hire us a van, so we were all set to do a simultaneous exchange and complete, ideally later thus week. 

EA emailed yesterday saying the vendor is happy to proceed (of course she would be) but due to lockdown she's unable to hire a van and asked if the furniture can be stored in the garage of the property until the lockdown is lifted and she can then "collect/dispose". The vendor has offered us the white goods free of charge if we're ok with this. We've signed and returned the contract but we've not yet agreed to exchange.

Now, we're itching to get into the new place but due to lockdown we've an absolute ton of stuff we've not been able to recycle so will be taking it with us. Also nearly all of my belongings are outdoors things like fishing tackle, bikes, camping gear etc. My stuff will will the garage straight away. The garage was a big factor in the decision to buy. Lastly, and I know this might sound paranoid, what if we just get lumbered with this stuff? The vendor wanted to sell it anyway and although it's in good condition it's nothing special. Once the purchase is completed EA won't be interested. This might be an ideal way for the vendor to offload their unwanted furniture and get their property sold. I hate thinking the worst of people but we're new to all this house buying, maybe I'm making a storm out of a teacup and after lockdown the vendor will be straight round in a van to take it all away.

I've not responded to the EA yet but was looking at the following options:
1 Agree
2 Offer for the furniture to be left in the garden under a tarp (large back garden).
3 Decline and say we'll agree to exchange once the property is empty and we've checked. 
4 Agree on the condition we get written assurance from the vendor they'll collect straight after lockdown. 
5 Offer to take the vendor's furniture to them in our hired van.

Can anyone suggest any other options or share some experience /advice? 

Sorry for the long post but I wanted to include all the detail so the forum has the full picture. 

Thanks

davidmcn

If you can hire a van, why can't the vendor?

valuepack

davidmcn said:

If you can hire a van, why can't the vendor?

When we were getting quotes for van hire the big names we looked at such as thrifty etc. are only hiring to key workers, so I assume she isn't one.

davidmcn

valuepack said:

davidmcn said:

If you can hire a van, why can't the vendor?

When we were getting quotes for van hire the big names we looked at such as thrifty etc. are only hiring to key workers, so I assume she isn't one.

Maybe she could try explaining that it's to facilitate a sale to a key worker.

greatcrested

valuepack said:

Hi all
Partner and I are FTB and the vendor was renting out the 2 bed house we've bought as fully furnished to tenants that were due to leave 23rd April. We had our offer accepted in Feb and the EA advised all the furniture was also for sale and invited us to bid for anything we want after our second viewing. We're currently renting a 2 bed 2nd floor flat on an unfurnished basis (except white goods which the landlord owns) so we already have furniture, however we agreed to buy the vendor's white goods for convenience, they're not great but at least have something to use when we arrive and can replace them one by one. The other furniture items are fairly cheap and basic. Corona has understandably slowed the purchase process but because 

The tenants left last week as planned (we feared they might not go due to corona), my partner is a key worker and can hire us a van, so we were all set to do a simultaneous exchange and complete, ideally later thus week. 

EA emailed yesterday saying the vendor is happy to proceed (of course she would be) but due to lockdown she's unable to hire a van and asked if the furniture can be stored in the garage of the property until the lockdown is lifted and she can then "collect/dispose". The vendor has offered us the white goods free of charge if we're ok with this. We've signed and returned the contract but we've not yet agreed to exchange.

Now, we're itching to get into the new place but due to lockdown we've an absolute ton of stuff we've not been able to recycle so will be taking it with us. Also nearly all of my belongings are outdoors things like fishing tackle, bikes, camping gear etc. My stuff will will the garage straight away. The garage was a big factor in the decision to buy. Lastly, and I know this might sound paranoid, what if we just get lumbered with this stuff? The vendor wanted to sell it anyway and although it's in good condition it's nothing special. Once the purchase is completed EA won't be interested. This might be an ideal way for the vendor to offload their unwanted furniture and get their property sold. I hate thinking the worst of people but we're new to all this house buying, maybe I'm making a storm out of a teacup and after lockdown the vendor will be straight round in a van to take it all away.

I've not responded to the EA yet but was looking at the following options:
1 Agree
2 Offer for the furniture to be left in the garden under a tarp (large back garden).
3 Decline and say we'll agree to exchange once the property is empty and we've checked. 
4 Agree on the condition we get written assurance from the vendor they'll collect straight after lockdown. 
5 Offer to take the vendor's furniture to them in our hired van.

Can anyone suggest any other options or share some experience /advice? 

1) No. You need the garage.

2) for how long?(see 4). And at whose risk if they get damaged?

3) yes

4) and if lockdown gets extended? Again and again? And what would be your come-back if the stuff is not removed? Maybe consider this if they give you a meaningfu sum eg £200, refundable when they clear the things - that would cover your disposal cost if they let you down.

5) fair enough - but for a proper price, not in exchange for a few almost worthless 2nd hand white goods you could pick up at an auction for £15 all in. And at their risk.

Socajam

3 Decline and say we'll agree to exchange once the property is empty and we've checked.
5 Offer to take the vendor's furniture to them in our hired van.

I like the ones above, with (3) being the most viable option, otherwise tell the owner that the furniture will be place for disposal.
I would not trust the owner at all if (3) and (5) it not viable.

youth_leader

I'm in the same situaton as your vendor, unfortunately I think she may have to cut her losses like me and arrange a house clearance.  Personally I wouldn't agree to have it in the garage.  I had hoped to sell my furniture,  and whatever was left, donate to the BHF.  Unfortunately lockdown scuppered my plans, and I've got 15 items to dispose of before completion on 25 May.  All large and too heavy, I can't manage to dismantle and haul down the stairs myself, luckily all the smaller items I placed in my drive have been taken.  I've contacted a removal company who gave me a quote for clearance, but they said they are not considered keyworkers and cannot do removals until lockdown is lifted.  I've asked my solicitor to ask my buyer if he will show forebearance as I will  have paid for the clearance, alternatively he is welcome to have it all for free to use/dispose of as he wishes.  I am sorry to have lost out on the money selling these items and it stings I've also got to pay £230 to have it taken away but needs must. Good luck in your new home, wishing you much happiness. 

steampowered

Personally, I wouldn't hold up exchange for this.

I might try to get a timeline out of the vendor e.g. they will collect the stuff within 2 weeks of lockdown being lifted.

Socajam

steampowered said:

Personally, I wouldn't hold up exchange for this.

I might try to get a timeline out of the vendor e.g. they will collect the stuff within 2 weeks of lockdown being lifted.

Do you have any idea when lockdown will be lifted?
That is the big question - say its not lifted until end June?

warby68

I'd also try and accommodate this for the sake of getting the much bigger issue of the house purchase done and dusted. Worst case you have some cheap furniture to dispose of. Worst case if you don't the sale falls through. What I would want to do is speak directly to the vendor in this instance, just to get a feel for the person and discuss specifics - ie it will be stacked up to make room for your stuff and no guarantees as to condition afterwards. 
I would also offer something very straight forward - you will remove/accept it all in return for a discount - you decide the amount.
Its bigger picture time - vendor might just be scared and feel its all too much hassle at the moment and not directly to do with the van. You are perfectly capable of sorting it all by the sound of it.
These are exceptional circumstances with no real road map .

Martin_the_Unjust

Just a thought but are we sure that the mortgage co (assuming the op needs a mortgage) would see this as 'vacant possession'?