Gifted Property Contents

fauves

Hi All,

We were gifted a property by a living relative in early 2024. We moved into the property last year. The property is completely furnished, but there is no evidence (written or otherwise) to confirm that the contents were included in the gift. Verbally, this had been confirmed on numerous occasions, but there is no clear evidence.

The relationship with the living relative has sadly recently broken down, to a point where communication is impossible. We have also had other major family changes that mean we are forced to sell the property.

This leaves us in a tricky situation, in which we aren't sure where we stand with the contents. Presumably we are obliged to return them, given the lack of any evidence of their being gifted?

My question is, how are we able to do this, as there are a) a lot of them, including very large items of furniture which are worth very little due to their state or repair and b) the relative has no desire to speak to us.

We could potentially move the items to a storage unit, but this would be very expensive (particularly given the large items and their relative worth) and we aren't sure how we guarantee the relative will pay for the storage. We could also potentially get the items valued, sell them and send the funds on to the relative. Clearly we would then need the relatives agreement to do so?

We just ideally want to know if anyone has any experience of this and what our best course of action is.

Brie

Is someone else able to talk to the family member on your behalf? If not perhaps you need to send them a letter to state that you are leaving the property on X date and the furniture can be collected by them, you can deliver it to an agreed place, or you will have a house clearance company deal with it on their behalf. State in it that failure to respond will mean the contents will be disposed of by whatever method suits you.

You cannot rent a storage unit with any expectation that they will pay for it. It would be you signing a credit agreement for the rent, not them. As such you will be responsible for the costs even if you don't pay, at which point it will become a debt that someone will be chasing you to pay.

If you go the house clearance route you could simply tell the company to pay anything to Auntie Em by cheque. But if there is no value and the company needs to be paid for their services that will be up to you - same situation as the storage unit.

Good luck with sorting it out - families can be so difficult.

gwynlas

I presume you are saying that you do have evidence that the property was gifted to you hence how you are now able to sell?

Second hand furniture's got little value hence house clearance people sometimes charge to clear property

I would advise them by signed delivery letter that you are moving and that they can collect anything that they want by that date.

You could arrange for a friend or relative to be there for them to collect

user1977

Verbally, this had been confirmed on numerous occasions

In which case I'm not sure what the concern is, particularly if the value is negligible? It seems less aggro just to dispose of the furniture as you see fit rather than start correspondence about it.

gplion55

Send a registered letter and ask for a reply. If they don't reply you have met your legal obligation and can prove it.