Clearing fence panels

Yazmina

I'm about to sell my late mum's house, completion is tomorrow 2/3.

A few months ago the next door neighbour changed some panels in what he says is his fence. Previously (c. 15-20 years ago) my late mum had changed the panels in the same fence.   The neighbour has left the old panels in my mum's garden, saying that they belonged to her so now are mine to dispose of.

Essentially the neighbour says my mum changed the panels in the wrong fence. I've spoken to him a couple of times and he's not going to remove the old panels. 

The couple buying the house tomorrow have said nothing about the fence panels in the garden. Is it unreasonable to leave this amount of junk behind? Do I now need to try to get someone to remove the panels at the 11th hour? They won't fit in my car and the council won't take them. 

Niv

If I were in your position I would remove them and take them down to the local HWRC. Of course they fit in your car, they are 20 year old fence panels, smash them up a bit , they will fit.

silvercar

Were the fence panels in your mum’s garden at the time of exchange? If so, then you are under no obligation to do anything with them.

otherwise you have 2 options, either do nothing and see if the buyers say anything, chances are they won’t. Alternatively, lob them back into the neighbours garden tonight.

Brie

Why won't the council take them?  Likely you would need to pay for the service given the size.  The alternative is to find some "scrap" person to take them away.  Or you could try putting them on Freegle or similar saying "free for firewood but must be taken today!"

Yazmina

We're exchanging and completing on the same day. I'm just worried about this being seen by the solicitor as a neighbour dispute.

I'm 5ft 3 I can't move/lift/break the panels on my own. 

Yazmina

Brie said:

Why won't the council take them?  Likely you would need to pay for the service given the size.  The alternative is to find some "scrap" person to take them away.  Or you could try putting them on Freegle or similar saying "free for firewood but must be taken today!"

I don't know why but the council website says that they don't take fence panels. 

summer_daze009

I guess it depends on the answer you gave when you filled in the Property Information Form (TA6) One of the questions is:

Will the seller ensure that:

(a) all rubbish is removed from the property (including from the loft, garden, outbuildings, garages and sheds) 

You had to tick yes or no

MikeJXE

Get something organised regarding having them removed

Apologise to the buyer for the delay in clearing them as the guy doing it didn't turn up 

youth_leader

So sorry Yazmina, what a horrible neighbour, he knows you are grieving for your Mum.  Stick them on Facebook for free immediately, a lot of people are desperate for firewood.

Yazmina

summer_daze009 said:

I guess it depends on the answer you gave when you filled in the Property Information Form (TA6) One of the questions is:

Will the seller ensure that:

(a) all rubbish is removed from the property (including from the loft, garden, outbuildings, garages and sheds) 

You had to tick yes or no

I think this is the point. I don't want any problems later. 

Yazmina

youth_leader said:

So sorry Yazmina, what a horrible neighbour, he knows you are grieving for your Mum.  Stick them on Facebook for free immediately, a lot of people are desperate for firewood.

I'm in Greater London, I'll have to get someone to come and take it away.