New house left in an awful state

Scotbot

The English house buying system stinks, it relies farVectis said:

It's a lesson many of us have learnt, unfortunately - never rely on other people to do what's right or to do what they say they will do. 

The English house buying system stinks it relies far too much on integrity. As a result buyers can pull out up to the last minute and sellers can treat treat the place as a tip.  I have said it before but have bought and sold overseas where  completion only occurs after buyers sign off after final inspection. Net result places are clean and empty,

Mahsroh

I'm also in the "just forget" it camp.

It's so frustrating, I had a similar experience when I bought my first house and spent what felt like days deep cleaning and taking rubbish to the tip, but as others have said, for the fairly minimal cost involved, and the time it will take to get anything out of it, it's just not worth the hassle of pursuing the seller. 

elsien

I would say it depends how much stuff there is.
Parent viewed an empty house. After completion we discovered the vendor had gone to the effort of filling it and the garden with junk/old carpets etc that weren’t there when we viewed. 

The threat of small claims court made them agree to pay for a skip (or several) without it needing any more than a firm letter.
You could try that, and then decide if it’s worth the effort of pursuing any further.

Octothorpe

Have a read through this
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6242036/things-left-in-loft-after-completion/p1

davidmcn

Scotbot said:

have bought and sold overseas where completion only occurs after buyers sign off after final inspection. 

Out of interest, where is that, and how does it work in practice (especially if the parties don't agree). I'm imagining the removal guys having to twiddle their thumbs while they wait for the House Condition Arbitrator to turn up.

Bexxie1979

Thanks for your comments. It was pretty grim, the annex must have housed some kind of bird and the whole place was covered in excrement and feathers, meaning our teenage son can’t move in there yet. We are just getting on with it and putting it down to experience. 

gettingtheresometime

Son bought his 1st house a couple of years ago, and agreed to buy all the furniture (which was in v.good condition) as it was a probate sale.
When he walked in, literally everything had been left, including the deceased's clothes. 
Cue numerous trips to the recycling centre.

Scotbot

davidmcn said:

Scotbot said:

have bought and sold overseas where completion only occurs after buyers sign off after final inspection. 

Out of interest, where is that, and how does it work in practice (especially if the parties don't agree). I'm imagining the removal guys having to twiddle their thumbs while they wait for the House Condition Arbitrator to turn up.

NSW Australia, not sure about other states as some of the regulations are state level not federal.  In practice never heard of if not happening as the vendor is also anxious to complete and it is accepted as the norm. Plenty of cleaning companies offer a moving out sevice. Poms are usually surprised at how clean places are when they buy them!
A big difference is that if an offer is accepted you have 24 hours to pay the deposit and  agree a completion date  so no chains or last minute moves. People therefore have time to move out and clean before completion. Of course this bring with it other issues around temporary accommodation or bridging loans for 2 properties.