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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To bin everything the seller has left behind.

97 replies

Teaandcakeat8 · 18/03/2016 22:11

Just picked up the key to my new flat today.

The seller is currently on holiday, exchange/completion happened today and it was all very rushed so he likely didn't know we would be completing before he went away. He gave consent to exchange/complete yesterday.

Just got inside and it's empty as in no furniture but there are piles of crap around eg cupboards not completely empty, utensils in drawers, loo roll and soap in bathroom etc.

To me it looks like they might have been planning on coming back to clear. They've obviously taken their 'belongings' and just left whatever they didn't need iyswim.

I have to go in on Tuesday to pick up the other key (seller still has one) and I am planning on taking all his post with me as there is no forwarding address.

WWYD? Presumably it all belongs to me now so I'm within my rights to bin it all? Or would you box it up and take to the estate agent?

OP posts:

Cataline · 18/03/2016 22:15

We had this when we moved into our house. Freezer and fridge full of food, jewellery and photos in drawers. Board games in cupboards and more.
Everything was chucked in the bin.

HackerFucker22 · 18/03/2016 22:21

You binned someone's photos and jewellery? A bit harsh

acasualobserver · 18/03/2016 22:22

If the combined amount of stuff is modest and it wouldn't inconvenience you to keep it on one side for a week, I'd tell the vendors' solicitor that they have seven days to collect their belongings. After that, you'll bin it.

AgentZigzag · 18/03/2016 22:23

Could you just give the EA a quick bell to ask their advice?

It might technically belong to you but if he didn't think you'd have completed so fast there might be something he wants in it even if it all looks like piles of tat?

AgentZigzag · 18/03/2016 22:25

Oh yeah, and congrats on your new flat!

pigsDOfly · 18/03/2016 22:29

Not sure I'd be happy with seller still having a key to my home. The seller is supposed to hand over all keys to estate agent or solicitor depending who is taking responsibility for them. He most certainly shouldn't be holding on to them.

I'd be changing the locks if I were you or you might find he's turned up to pick up his stuff when you're out.

pigsDOfly · 18/03/2016 22:32

Completion wouldn't have taken the seller by surprise AgentZigzag, the date on which completion takes place is one on which the buyer and seller agree.

Original poster

Teaandcakeat8 · 18/03/2016 22:38

I believe he still has the key as he was holding on to one until exchange but it happened when he was away. However I agree it's not really a surprise the flat has been empty since the offer was accepted in November... It's not been a quick process.

I believe it was used as a second home during the week, so I imagine the seller has duplicate (nicer) things in his other property and probably has no need for them now!

The agreement is he drops off the other key on Monday. Tbh it is an inconvenience having the stuff here, it's a small space that I was hoping to clean and paint over the weekend and next week so holding onto boxes of his stuff is annoying.

OP posts:

AgentZigzag · 18/03/2016 22:41

I know pigs, I was just thinking that if he's off on his jollies he might have thought he'd have time to sort through his piles of shite before they exchanged.

I suppose it's his own fault if there is anything in there he wanted because must have talked to the EA about the completion and could have brought up the subject of his piles then ().

Original poster

Teaandcakeat8 · 18/03/2016 22:42

I'm slightly annoyed as on the inventory he filled out there was nothing mentioned about leaving piles everywhere!!

OP posts:

Queenie73 · 18/03/2016 22:43

Wouldn't you normally get new locks fitted anyway when you buy a new place?

JolseBaby · 18/03/2016 22:44

I would change the locks - for home insurance reasons if nothing else.

Bag the stuff up and bin it. Completion has not come as a surprise so the place should have been completely cleared when he took the rest of his belongings out.

FlyRussianUnicorn · 18/03/2016 22:44

Maybe he's left them trying to do you a favour? just a thought..

ijustwannadance · 18/03/2016 22:49

Change the locks. Keys are easily copied so makes no difference him dropping off spare as there may be more.

Chuck the stuff in a box and take to estate agents in the morning ready for them to pass on on monday when he drops off keys.
Or just bin it.

AgentZigzag · 18/03/2016 22:51

Isn't it more usual to leave a bottle of wine or flowers rather than manky old soap and half a bog roll FlyR?

Original poster

Teaandcakeat8 · 18/03/2016 22:54

There actually are some flowers on the windowsill, they look about 3 months old

Think I will box up the small stuff that looks salvageable and bin the larger items (a selection which includes; a mop, some wall art, a folding table)

OP posts:

nancy75 · 18/03/2016 22:54

I think you can probably assume he won't want the half used soap or out of date food. I would chuck stuff that is obviously rubbish and maybe keep a box for things he might want and post

RB68 · 18/03/2016 22:55

just ditch it unless u want it

RB68 · 18/03/2016 22:56

or leave it outside will likely soon disappear especially with a "take home please" label attached

QuestionableMouse · 18/03/2016 23:16

Is there a chance he just ran out of time? I wouldn't bin anything apart from obvious junk- it's not that hard to stick it in a box and put it to one side until you can get in touch with him.

FuriousFate · 18/03/2016 23:31

He knew the date, of course he did.
Every time we buy somewhere, we change the locks the same day. I thought everyone did that?
Bin the stuff and you shouldn't be dealing with his mail, either. He could have set up redirection. He didn't, his loss. You owe him nothing. In fact, technically, he owes you as the property should have been given to you as 'vacant possession'. It wasn't. Send him an invoice for the time it took you to clear his crap.

elegantlygrey1 · 18/03/2016 23:33

I am not sure you can just bin it. I think there are rules, and you have to give them a chance to collect it.

How have the estate agents been? Are they likely to be helpful? You may also like to check with the conveyancer.

This opinion is not to be relied on and is after wine has been taken, but I'd hold fire on the skip until you can contact them.

RedSoloCup · 18/03/2016 23:35

I don't know the right or wrong but I would box up and give them a few weeks to claim, not food though I'd bin that!!

FuriousFate · 18/03/2016 23:45

The only rule is that the OP is now the owner of the property. She can do what she likes. Now, whether that's right morally is another question, but she doesn't owe the seller anything.

feeona123 · 18/03/2016 23:49

Talk to your solicitor for advice. Don't bother picking up spare key....change the locks x

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