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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:
GrasssInPocket · 13/01/2022 17:58

@Sweetpeasaremadeforbees

What the fk has Ono Lennon got to do with all of this? I know, I know........typo/predictive text!

But am I the only person who wants to know what that poster was trying to type?!

Sorry forgot to quote when providing answer...
DroopyClematis · 13/01/2022 18:08

Block and ignore.

You owe them nothing.

They should have had a redirection service in place from day 1.

Whatever they've left is not your problem.

Knackeredmommy · 13/01/2022 18:13

Block them! They're taking the piss, you are not their PA. Do not accept any more deliveries, they don't live there.

FinallyHere · 13/01/2022 19:29

@Xenia

May be worth reading the contract.

This is the contract that the previous owners would have signed with Virgin. How do you suggest they get hold of a copy?

The fact that they do not have a copy of the contract is of course a polite reminder that it really isn't anything to do with them.

Virgin cannot mandate what happens to equipment which if left in a house which has been sold. How would that work?

Brigante9 · 13/01/2022 19:30

@5zeds why on earth did you let them in? Or why not just tell them you were busy, here’s the door, goodbye? I can’t understand why you allowed them in? Multiple times!

FinallyHere · 13/01/2022 19:37

Given how cheeky they are they won't let this Virgin thing go

@LondonSouth28

How far do you think the CF ex-owners would be prepared to take it? They have absolutely no case. They sold a house with vacant possession. The fact that it was not, in fact, vacant is irrelevant here.

On what plant would the OP owe anyone anything to do with a contract between Virgin and the new owners.

PP is absolutely correct that this is a 'not my circus, not my monkeys' situation. OP has absolutely no obligations here.

In their place I would be refusing delivery for any parcels and returning any post as not known at this address.

It's fine to be helpful to people who keep their side of a bargain. OP explained that on completion they were late out, left lots of things in the garage, continued to use their old address for deliveries. Even asked OP to make sure and sign for an 'important delivery'.

On what planet is any of that acceptable?

The ex-owners are very, very far beyond the line of what is reasonable. They deserve no cooperation.

LondonSouth28 · 13/01/2022 19:55

@FinallyHere - it's more about the old owners turning up on the OPs door step and being a nuisance. I wouldn't want to have that situation, I'd rather find the Virgin thing.

VioletLemon · 13/01/2022 20:08

Not your problem, unless the contract is in your name!!

VioletLemon · 13/01/2022 20:10

I would perhaps make 1 contact with her and say it is not possible to admin anything relating to their time staying at your address which has now come to an end. Follow up with legal letter saying no more contact required.

5zeds · 13/01/2022 20:49

@Brigante9 you’re right I should be utterly ashamed of not being more assertive dripping with toddlers, mid house move, and pregnant. I’m sure you would have handled it much better because you are obviously infinitely better in every way. (Top tip, my children are now grown, my boxes are unpacked many years ago, so I’m in a really different place. Saying FUCK OFF to twats is now fairly easy. Do you want to take it as said?)

mjf981 · 13/01/2022 20:56

I would have a look for the virgin equipment if it was me. But I hate waste so would think it’s better to be reused than binned..

But after this was done I would block.

FinallyHere · 13/01/2022 20:59

it's more about the old owners turning up on the OPs door step and being a nuisance. I wouldn't want to have that situation, I'd rather find the Virgin thing.

@LondonSouth28

I guess different people will have different reactions. They would not intimidate me.

I've probably already written this, so to reiterate. They have been out of order from the outset. They were not out of the house very shortly after completion. They did not leave the house empty. They continued to use the address for deliveries. They even told OP that she must be sure to sign for an 'important package'.

None of these things are reasonable.

If they had not done any of these unreasonable things, and had asked 'nicely', it would have been a kind thing to do to try and locate the router.

They had already used up all and more of 'kindness', long before they demanded the router. We note did not ask whether it might be possible but demanded ...

In my book, it would be ill advised to continue to pander to their bad behaviour on the off chance that they might make a fuss. It is irresponsible to reward their bad behaviour.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 13/01/2022 21:00

Sorry forgot to quote when providing answer...

Thank you!

BoredZelda · 13/01/2022 21:15

I would get your solicitor to write to them, rather strongly, that you will not be dealing with their post or anything, from today.

This would presumably incur a cost to the OP. Call their solicitor and have them deal with it.

cassgate · 13/01/2022 21:37

Over 20 years ago now we moved into our then 2nd home to be confronted by a garage full of crap the previous owners had left behind along with a cooker in the kitchen which when we moved it was stuck so solid to the floor it ripped up the lino. About a month later the son turned up asking for us to open the garage so he could take the final bits they had left along with the cooker. I laughed and said he was welcome to contact the skip hire company to see if they still had the stuff as it had all been skipped and collected within 2 days of them moving out. He wasn’t best pleased but we never heard from him again. Definitely not your problem tell them that anything they left behind is long gone and it was their responsibility to make sure they took all their possessions with them on moving day.

steppemum · 14/01/2022 17:04

@cassgate

Over 20 years ago now we moved into our then 2nd home to be confronted by a garage full of crap the previous owners had left behind along with a cooker in the kitchen which when we moved it was stuck so solid to the floor it ripped up the lino. About a month later the son turned up asking for us to open the garage so he could take the final bits they had left along with the cooker. I laughed and said he was welcome to contact the skip hire company to see if they still had the stuff as it had all been skipped and collected within 2 days of them moving out. He wasn’t best pleased but we never heard from him again. Definitely not your problem tell them that anything they left behind is long gone and it was their responsibility to make sure they took all their possessions with them on moving day.
while I do understand this, and would be tempted to do the same, I am pretty sure it is illegal.

There have been many threads about this in the past. If a vendor leaves stuff behind it does not belong to new owners and they do not have the right to dispose of it.

I think (but I am not a legal bod) that what you have to do is send them a letter which says you have xx no. of days to collect and then we will dispose of it.
In other words you have to give them due notice.

steppemum · 14/01/2022 17:04

and I think there is a minimum time eg 28 days

angela99999 · 14/01/2022 17:26

This.

SmoggieC · 14/01/2022 17:29

@FlibbertyGiblets

Block them now. Decline parcels for them. Any post return to sender not at this address.
This
angela99999 · 14/01/2022 17:37

@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.
Sorry, quote didn't work on last post. Get you solicitor to write. Send everything back to sender that arrives. And block their phone number and email.
MandyLHarkness · 14/01/2022 17:44

I don’t see how, it was their responsibility to look after not yours & also their responsibility to remove all their belongings from your property on completion. You have no contract or responsibility towards Virgin. If they bother you again I’d be minded to tell them to get in touch with their ex customers at their new address🤷🏻‍♀️

AuditAngel · 14/01/2022 17:45

@Moaningturtle

Is there anyway that virgin can come after me for the equipment, as technically I do possibly have it, somewhere?!
You don’t have a contractual relationship with Virgin Media. Virgin’s issue is with the former owners and that is who they must pursue if the6ywant either the equipment or recompense%
Celestine70 · 14/01/2022 17:46

Just stop all this nonsense. It's up to them to sort their own stuff out. If they still have stuff in your garden tell them they have one week to collect it. Anyway if people leave things behind in houses it becomes your property.

Gilld69 · 14/01/2022 17:49

just block all communication refuse parcels they should of had it all the virgin stuff sorted and collected before they left , you are not responsible for any of it

cherish123 · 14/01/2022 17:52

Block them
Don't take in any packages
Is her stuff still in the garden? I assume not but, if so, send her an email saying it must be removed by a certain date or it will be binned.