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Original poster

Old house owners being a pain

271 replies

Moaningturtle · 13/01/2022 09:59

We completed on our house in mid November. It started in the day of completion when she was still in the house 3 hours after completing moving stuff out, and then left a load of stuff in the garden to come and collect another time. It was annoying, especially as the clutter in the garden made our moving in harder, but it we were accommodating and polite.

Then the packages started arriving all the way up to Xmas, including a few which we missed delivery of that weren’t named so we had to go to the collection office to get packages that turned out were not for us! This got a bit more annoying. Then her partner (who wasn’t even joint owner) messaged me informing me that UPS will be delivering a very important package that day and could I make sure I sign for it!! On that occasion I told him no, I was sleeping and can’t get up to answer deliveries (I work nights). It happened to come while I was awake though so I dutifully took it to a requested neighbours house.

Then he messaged me asking me to contact Virgin Media and take over his contract!! I said no thank you very much, we have our own broadband sorted. He seemed a bit miffed as I assume he now has to pay for the remainder of the contract.

All a bit annoying but we put up with it. But the latest instalment is that we’ve had Virgin media knocking on our door demanding we give back their equipment. Now, they did leave a router plugged into the wall which I assumed they didn’t want as why would they leave it in a house they had sold? So I put it straight in the garage….I think? It’s possible it went to the recycling centre with other electronics we were getting rid of. If it is in the garage it’s way way way back there behind all the stuff we haven’t yet unpacked/general garage crap. And now the previous owner is WhatsApp-ing me about finding it for her as I assume she’ll be charged.

I know it all seems like small stuff and I should probably just do it, but I work at night then sleep for 4 hours before picking the kids up from school and the whole clubs/dinner/homework/bath time/ bed time routine. Then I’m back at work!

At what point can I stop being obliging and just block them from my phone? Or am I being petty here?!

OP posts:
SmolCat · 13/01/2022 10:29

If you want to engage then tell them you took everything they had left behind to the tip but otherwise block them. To be acting as a free personal assistant for this CF is ridiculous.

Brainwave89 · 13/01/2022 10:30

I moved into a house which had been on sale for some time. The owners had relocated and we put in an offer well below the asking price which they accepted. However, they clearly felt hard done to in not getting the full price and as often happens took everything they could from the house- carpets, light bulbs, even some light fittings. We could have complained and it was inconvenient, but we were too busy organising the house to bother much. However loads of letters kept coming for them and parcels. For the first month we redirected. After that we did not. We then received a call from them asking why we were not redirecting, and that it was a "legal offence to interfere with the mail". DH calmly pointed out the excellent redirection service provided by Royal Mail and advised them to use that. Then put the phone down.

NYnewstart · 13/01/2022 10:32

Just tell her that dp said it was taken to the tip.

Stop taking in packages.

Gonnagetgoing · 13/01/2022 10:38

Block and forget - they completed on this sale to you months ago and they should have cleared out the property and garage etc at the time not be chasing you for crap you may have ditched since moving in.

Gonnagetgoing · 13/01/2022 10:39

and stop taking in packages, tell the courier/postman they've moved.

Gonnagetgoing · 13/01/2022 10:40

@SprayedWithDettol

I would get your solicitor to write to them, rather strongly, that you will not be dealing with their post or anything, from today. Block their phone number and ignore.
@SprayedWithDettol - don't do that. The solicitor will not want to be involved now and may even charge for a letter.
MissCalamity · 13/01/2022 10:42

CF's of the highest order!

I'm sure you've already done, but did you change the locks when you moved in?

2catsandhappy · 13/01/2022 10:42

I don't know if this helps but, Virgin Media charge £125 for non return of their property.
I luckily had been too lazy to bin the Virgin Media stuff after changing suppliers. Got sent the returns bag and dropped off at local collection point.
So I imagine they will be billed. Shame.Grin

gamerchick · 13/01/2022 10:43

When I moved in here they left all of their debt behind and a neighbour would pull the postman for all post to my address and then would push my post through the door. I mega complained about the postman. I gave all the debtors their new address because it was a cunts trick to just leave it behind like that and risk bailiffs.

People are cheeky fuckers, they are everywhere. Tell them to fuck off and not bother you again, then block. Or get your solicitor to write them a letter telling them to fuck off for you. She'll just have to cough up to virgin for the equipment she left behind.

AnneLovesGilbert · 13/01/2022 10:44

Omg they’re ridiculous! One final message and block.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 13/01/2022 10:46

Block and tell your solicitor.

If they are in trouble with virgin it’s their mistake. I wouldn’t get involved in the saga. Not your circus.

UniversalAunt · 13/01/2022 10:47

The contract is between the supplier & the party who signed up to the agreement. Therefore, returning any kit is between the supplier & the previous owner.

Sounds odd to me that the supplier have any further contract with you once they had been informed of the move.

Well done sending on new address to debtors.

Gonnagetgoing · 13/01/2022 10:47

@Nekoness

Phone virgin and tell them their customers are no longer at this address and you declined to take over their contract. You have no idea what router they’re talking about. End of story.

Don’t feel guilty about the router. Virgin are assholes for demanding their boxes/routers are returned but taking months to send anyone to collect them. They basically want to stick you with a fee and when they can’t, they don’t bother picking up their (usually by then) outdated equipment.

Not your problem the previous owners didn’t ask you if you wanted to take over their contract before moving out and then packing the virgin router up with their belongings

@Nekoness - agreed.

Do exactly as they say.

Accidentgirlfriend · 13/01/2022 10:48

The best ever advice I’ve heard and my friend loves it and she’s starting to say it now

Not your circus , not your monkeys !!!
No final msgs . Just block and ignore ! I don’t get people who can’t stand up for themselves coz cfs these days are getting cheekier by the second .
Don’t add to your stress by taking on others crap op.

UniversalAunt · 13/01/2022 10:48

Oh yes, block the number & tell your solicitor why for the record on case they continue contact.

ifonly4 · 13/01/2022 10:48

Ignore them. If anyone wants something, give them the details of the previous occupants solicitors and tell them to contact them.

Ellie56 · 13/01/2022 10:49

@Moaningturtle

Oh phew!! Thank you!

I have a tendency to be too nice and let people take advantage because I don’t want to be unkind.

I really need to stand up for myself more.

You're right. They have been taking the piss for months and taking advantage of you. Don't put up with it any longer and stop being nice.

Like PP said block the CFs, tell Virgin the missing equipment is nothing to do with you, as you are the new owner, refuse all the annoying parcels and send any post back to sender.

BigotSpigot · 13/01/2022 10:49
  • block
  • put a note on your day stating you won't be accepting post or parcels for blah blah then hopefully you won't get disturbed
  • hopefully you have changed (at least one of) your locks
BigotSpigot · 13/01/2022 10:49

note on your door

Loveisthere · 13/01/2022 10:51

The solcitor will charge for any letters sent out and if the previous occupant contact your Solicitor via a phone call or letter you would most likely be charged for that as well. Just block and refuse to take any more parcels and not known at this address on any post and put in back in the post

GloriaSicTransitMundi · 13/01/2022 10:51

Put a small note on the door next to the doorbell 'The (old owners name) have moved as of x date. Kindly return any correspondence or parcels to sender as we are not accepting it here'. And block their phone number as well as phoning the estate agent and telling them his / her clients are becoming a nuisance and EA needs to earn their commission and have a word!

Skeumorph · 13/01/2022 10:54

@Havilland

I would not have put up with any of that. Unfortunately because they have got away with a lot, when you finally do put your foot down they will be very unreasonable.

Block all lines of communication.

Show proof to Virgin media that you are the homeowner from X date and are not reaps Ono Lennon for any equipment that the previous owners may or may not have left behind and for them to cease and desist from contacting you and to take it up with the people at their new address.

Do not spend any time looking for equipment.

I adore this autocorrect Grin

OP everyone is 100% right, give them a toasting by message then BLOCK.

Or follow Havilland's excellent suggestion and forward all communication to Yoko Ono. She will rip them an (avant garde) new one!

Lindy2 · 13/01/2022 10:55

You've been more than helpful.

They've had long enough to sort themselves out. It's time for them to manage that themselves now.

Block them.
Return post to senders.

Bin any remaining belongings of theres.

NowEvenBetter · 13/01/2022 10:57

‘I will not be dealing with your post or items in any way. You are not to contact me again.’

FinallyHere · 13/01/2022 10:59

@Skeumorph

Or follow Havilland's excellent suggestion and forward all communication to Yoko Ono. She will rip them an (avant garde) new one!

I'm a bit late to the party here so thank you, I've got it now. Just assumed Yoko Ono was an autocorrect error. 😆

Yup, that's the way to deal with CF