Homeowners: did any of you discover your new place had a surprise feature AFTER moving in?

MSE_Laura_F

A member of my team bought a house a while back, but it wasn't until they moved in that they found a giant empty swimming pool in the garden which had been covered over during viewings. They're not sure what to do with it - whether to get it filled in, or turn it into something else.

Is this kind of discovery common? Did you uncover any surprises after moving into your new property?

Catsacor

What the hell would disguise a swimming pool that well ?

eddddy

I found the remains of the previous occupant's dinner in the oven.

It looked like a 'meals on wheels' meal that had slowly turned to charcoal. It looked like it was fossilised - you could make out the shape of potatoes, carrots, etc, but they were pure charcoal.

I suspect he put his dinner in the oven to keep warm... and it gradually turned to charcoal over a few days, until somebody arrived and turned off the oven! There was also a broken panel in the front door where they'd had to break in. 

Bonniepurple

eddddy said:

I found the remains of the previous occupant's dinner in the oven.

It looked like a 'meals on wheels' meal that had slowly turned to charcoal. It looked like it was fossilised - you could make out the shape of potatoes, carrots, etc, but they were pure charcoal.

I suspect he put his dinner in the oven to keep warm... and it gradually turned to charcoal over a few days, until somebody arrived and turned off the oven! There was also a broken panel in the front door where they'd had to break in. 

For a moment I thought you were going to say the remains OF the previous occupant!

Bluebell1000

We never understood why anyone would need a doorbell on the airing cupboard...!

robatwork

Bluebell1000 said:

We never understood why anyone would need a doorbell on the airing cupboard...!

Doubtless someone very small was living in there

onylon

The bathroom door didn't latch and would pop open unexpectedly. If someone opened the front door they would get a clear view of the upstairs loo which was a very unexpected feature. Clearly the sellers family did not value privacy as none of the doors upstairs would close properly. 

I spent an hour or so rehanging doors before our first house guests arrived.

Splatfoot

Wrestling boots and countless pairs of budgie smugglers in the shed...

AFF8879

The previous owner of my first time buy left me an almost brand new toolbox, given we started redecorating almost immediately I was very grateful! I sold the flat in July and left it for my buyer, didn’t feel right taking it (even though I knew technically it’s mine), hope she appreciated it like I did.

TripleH

My parents found a proper woven leather whip and a pinball machine in the garage.

20 years later when they dug up the garage floor, 4 Yorkstone lintels and several Yorkstone slabs they 'sold' to the builder renovating it for a restoration project he was working on.

Thrugelmir

Catsacor said:

What the hell would disguise a swimming pool that well ?

Aren't swimmimg pools kept covered when not in use. Sounds as if the purchasers never looked around the garden.