Advice Needed: Parents being abused and charged for leaving behind furniture in a move.

blue_max_3

That sounds a horrible experience. But agree with others, that the wording from the solicitor makes it clear there is no legal basis. It is a request, not an invoice. Do not pay and put it behind you. Good luck.

MovingForwards

I would thank the solicitor and tell them to ignore it, and do likewise myself.

dazron

MovingForwards said:

I would thank the solicitor and tell them to ignore it, and do likewise myself.

Yes inclined to agree. If they continue to abuse and probe I would probably go round there to ask them to stop.

MovingForwards

I wouldn't even do that. Just block all phone numbers / emails and get on with life in the new home. No point dragging it out further.

Mojisola

dazron said:

Yes inclined to agree. If they continue to abuse and probe I would probably go round there to ask them to stop.

MovingForwards said:

I wouldn't even do that.

I certainly wouldn't do that - they don't sound like pleasant people and there's no point getting into an argument that could turn nasty.

Block and ignore.

MalMonroe

Well, legally they are entitled to pursue these costs and may well go to small claims court if they are ignored, since they do seem to have money to throw around. They've started off nicely, though, with their solicitor sending kind of a begging letter, which I don't think should be ignored. Because if they do decide to go to court and they say your parents never responded to their solicitor's letter, that could go against them.

If I were your parents I would ask my solicitor to reply to say that they are pensioners and simply cannot afford any extra costs, as it would cause them great hardship. 

When people move house, it is the vendors' responsibility to ensure that only the items that have been mutually agreed should be left in a property and the buyer is entitled to ask for reimbursement if they have to remove rubbish, furniture, etc. I think they should have asked your parents to remove whatever it was that was left, first though, before contacting their solicitor. In fact, if it did go as far as court (not trying to frighten anyone though), the buyer could be asked why they didn't try to sort it out with your parents first. 

So, I don't really agree with those who say ignore the letter, this can't be enforced because it can. And the letter does need to be acknowledged, at least, to prevent any more antagonism. Those people are horrible! 

Mojisola

MalMonroe said:

If I were your parents I would ask my solicitor to reply to say that they are pensioners and simply cannot afford any extra costs, as it would cause them great hardship.

That makes it sound as if the OP's parents accept that they should be paying this money!

MalMonroe

dazron said:

MovingForwards said:

I would thank the solicitor and tell them to ignore it, and do likewise myself.

Yes inclined to agree. If they continue to abuse and probe I would probably go round there to ask them to stop.

No I would never go round there. Best to send a cease and desist letter, if needs be at a later date. 

Teapot55

Was the list of items to be left behind agreed in writing?

DoaM

Mojisola said:

MalMonroe said:

If I were your parents I would ask my solicitor to reply to say that they are pensioners and simply cannot afford any extra costs, as it would cause them great hardship.

That makes it sound as if the OP's parents accept that they should be paying this money!

Absolutely correct. Whilst I agree that a response should be returned, it should be more in the form of the response in Arkell vs Pressdram.