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Possible Squatters in the house we're buying

I went to the house we are buying today to get a Electricity Check done & a Gas check done. The house is supposed to be empty, but when we arrived, there was evidence of people staying there. Sleeping bag on the front room floor, fresh milk in the fridge, a cooked sausage on the Grill!!

The Estate Agent was very unhappy about the situation, & have left a message with the vendor.

It is possible it is the tenants who lived there not so long ago, but they are supposed to be out.

What do you lot think of this, and what should we do? We really want this house.

Comments

  • Bossyboots
    Bossyboots Posts: 6,760 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Your purchase contract will contain a proviso that the house is sold with vacant possession. It is therefore up to your vendors to make that happen. Hopefully it will turn out to be something as simple as someone minding the house but you need to keep on at the estate agent if you are not in direct contact with the vendor. You also need to notify your solicitor who can ask the vendor's solicitors for an explanation.
  • DilbertJones
    DilbertJones Posts: 670 Forumite
    we were going to the exchange of contracts stage by the end of next week, so hopefully we will have an answer by then.

    Don't think they were minding the house, as it was in a mess, the aftermath of a party, spliff ends everywhere etc.

    i am getting worried now :o
  • DilbertJones
    DilbertJones Posts: 670 Forumite
    also what about if they do any damage, between exchange of contracts & completion??


    ooo eck what a kerfufle!!!
  • sukey13
    sukey13 Posts: 278 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Get the vendors to change the locks. They obviously weren't there when you went round.

    It is the vendors job to make the house clean and remove all rubbish before you complete.
  • sukey13
    sukey13 Posts: 278 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Also check there was no other way in for whoever has been using the place.

    Even check the loft in case there isn't a wall between the nighbouring properties in the loft - happens alot in old terraced houses.
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