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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is a dick move

71 replies

IsTheOffDutyDoneYet · 18/08/2023 22:18

Completed on house sale today. Got the call at 10:15am to inform us. Called EA to enquire about the keys, who advised they weren’t available yet, seller was in the process of moving things out. Now EA had called a couple of days earlier to say seller stressing about moving their stuff, obviously we didn’t know completion time, but asking how flexible we were. 4pm was mentioned. I’d stated we could be a little bit flexible, however not as late as 4pm. We got a phone call from EA again today at 12:30 to say seller going as fast as they could, we may be looking at 4pm before we got they keys, asking us to ring seller at 4pm to check if keys ready. I text seller to say we would meet him at the property for 4pm to get the keys. I got a text back to say he was struggling for 4pm as he didn’t get his keys to his new place until 12:30pm, so I called the EA to ask them to deal with times etc as nothing had been offered in terms of when he might be done.

Anyway, long story short we picked up the exs keys from the EA at 4:20pm and he gave us his keys pretty much at the property at 5:20pm. Said he’d taken everything, best of luck etc etc and then he was gone. So we get into the property, obviously looks weird with nothing in. Opened all the windows. House was actually really not very clean. We bought a brand new Hoover, and have filled up over one bin bag with Hooverings. Cupboards filthy, general dirt and dust and grime. You expect some, but the house needs a proper clean. Going through the house, there are multiple items left - some crutches, boxes, old travel cot etc. In the loft, which has been used as a room, they’d put dividing plaster board all down a section of it to store belongings down one side, however this has been pulled out and left in the room. The worst thing is that dog poo (multiple) has been left in the back yard. On leaving we were shutting all the windows and both living room top windows don’t shut. One seems to have dropped, and we didn’t have a hammer to sort it. The other the bracket so just completely bent and broken, so we can’t shut it properly. The whole day has been wasted as we had taken annual leave and didn’t get into the property until 5:20, almost 7 hours after completion, plus it was left in a state and the issues I’ve already outlined.

I don’t think IABU, but the question is what can we do, if anything? All of the items need shifting, we don’t want them. And the windows are an issue. Is there any recourse? It’s the first time we have bought a house and it’s left a sour note; I’m feeling very deflated right now and any advice would be appreciated. Some photos attached of what’s been left (not everything) and the broken bracket.

OP posts:
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GoldenSpangles · 18/08/2023 23:47

If it's any consolation, we weren't first home buyers and it was meant to have commercial cleaners in but it was a filthy mess when we got the keys. All sorts of stuff didn't work and when it rained we found that the ceiling in the entranceway nearly fell down because the roof leaked and had had a very temporary patch job during the selling period. We did get it checked by a builder but it can be very difficult to tell about a leak like that. We only found out about the temporary repair when the roof was off and the roofer found the problem and said that even he simply couldn't tell how bad the problem was till it was all opened up. We had to pay to have the repair done properly. And then we found many things wrong from doors that dragged to air vents that didn't match up to holes in the air vent plate so we had mould inside the gib boards. It went on and on. We just had to get it all fixed. The ultimate irony is that I am a solicitor and there didn't seem any cost-effective way of getting any redress.

UpaladderwatchingTV · 18/08/2023 23:48

When you complete the various questionnaires for the solicitors, you do sign to say that all rubbish, furniture, etc. will be removed from the property. I know this because we literally completed the forms for the sale of our own property yesterday. However, you do NOT agree to leaving the property in clean condition, and as far as the windows are concerned, or any other problems with the fabric of the house, I'm afraid you're on your own OP, as the onus is on you to check these things. If your surveyor could have accessed the window, and keys were available, then you might have a claim against them, but if you read the survey report that you had done, it may mention that the window hinges were broken or not working properly, and need attention, or if the surveyor couldn't reach them at the time, because for example there was a piece of furniture in the way, or packed boxes, basically anything prohibiting easy access to the window, then they would have stated that, and are under no obligation to check. It's a bit like when there are carpets in the rooms, you might expect the surveyor to have checked the floorboards or whatever underneath, but you will always find that they state 'floors in the room were not checked as fitted carpet was laid'. You'll find that they don't move ANYTHING to check underneath or behind it, so for example if there is mould on the wall, and the vendor has placed a cupboard in front to hide it, the first you will know about it, is when you move into the empty property. As a previous poster said, I'm afraid those things fall under the title of 'Caveat Emptor' (buyer beware!)

Regarding the rubbish, it really doesn't look that bad OP, and it will likely cause you a lot of stress and heartache if you try to sue the vendor, in order to get them to pay for getting it removed. If they happen to have left a forwarding address you could try contacting them and telling them that unless they clear it within 24 hours, you'll be instructing someone to do it, and sending them the bill, but it's unlikely they'll respond, unless there is a LOT more rubbish than you've shown in the pics.

I'm sorry to say this OP, but as a first time buyer, we all tend to be a little naive about what to expect when we move in, so my advice is, get shot of the rubbish yourself, check the survey report, and contact your surveyor if they haven't mention checking the window, or not being able to check the window, to see what they say, but then put it down to experience. We're all older and wiser the second time around.

You were kind in allowing the vendors to have the extra time to move their stuff OP, but on moving day you do have to allow for problems to occur, for example, it takes time to pack the contents of a house into a moving van. I'm assuming the vendors moved themselves, and they probably didn't allow themselves enough time to do the job. It's also possible, as happened to us on one occasion, that the van has had a flat tyre, which they've had to get changed, or they've had to stop and fill it with fuel, or the van has broken down and they've had to wait for a replacement. Maybe they overslept, maybe a child was sick. All of these things do happen, so next time you move, to avoid a lot of stress, it's better to anticipate not being able to gain access until late in the day. Also, you won't be at the bottom of the chain next time, and just so you understand how it all works, on moving day the solicitors start at the bottom, passing over the money from the beginning of the chain, quite often a first time buyer, to the solicitor of the vendor at the bottom of the chain. The vendor's solicitor then has to check that the money has arrived at their bank, and arrange for it to be forwarded to the next property, and so it goes on. So if for example there were 6 people involved in the chain, and each transaction takes an hour, if you're the last person at the top of the chain, it's highly likely that you won't complete until 3pm or possibly even later.

Hope that's helped to put things in perspective and explain some of what you've encountered today. Have a good night's sleep, and trust me, it will all look better int the morning. Wishing you every happiness in your new home.

ManyMaybes · 18/08/2023 23:49

I think I think you have to be a bit more realistic about buying a house, and expect things like this. It’s not like a rental when there is time between tenants and time for a professional clean - the previous owners are frantically trying to get all their stuff in the van as quickly as possible. You haven’t paid anyone for a service to clean or prepare the house, just whatever is in your buying contract. In this case they may indeed have breached the contract in some ways, but it sounds minor and not worth raising with a solicitor unless waste removal costs a lot or the loft repairs are worth it.

You could have insisted on the keys earlier in the day but the previous owners’ stuff would have still been there, and the time has passed and you’re in now anyway. As others have said, just ditch the crap left over, suck up the expenses of fixing the windows and the many other issues you will find over the coming weeks/months and enjoy your new home :)

billybear · 18/08/2023 23:52

1 house i moved into they still had pictures hung on the walls. we helpd load there stuff into their self drive van believe me i did not care what i broke,my most recent move they held us up for keys, place was filthy when we got in ,i was so angry a really dirty trick, pay some one to clean it if you cant be bothered when you are moving out,contact your solicitor moan complain. chuck it out ,

blahblahblah1654 · 18/08/2023 23:55

When we moved in to our house it was filthy. Complete with a vase full of dog shit in the garden!

Ella31 · 18/08/2023 23:56

Sorry it happened to you, did you not have a viewing or check before keys handed over to ensure things were not broken. Where I am (ireland) you have to bring in someone who checks the house (snag list) in detail for issues and they sign off.

LooselyBasedOnAMadeUpStory · 19/08/2023 00:05

Contact your solicitor and tell them that you will order a house clearance of their things. And will send the bill to them.

Our solicitor advised us it would cost more to go down this route and get them to pay than it would to just get rid of it all ourselves.

Sorry it’s such a bad start op, as you will see plenty of us have been in the same boat. Some people are vile. You will soon put it all behind you and make the place your own, congratulations on your new home.

WtfHormones · 19/08/2023 00:07

blahblahblah1654 · 18/08/2023 23:55

When we moved in to our house it was filthy. Complete with a vase full of dog shit in the garden!

🥺😯😂😂😂

WeetabixTowels · 19/08/2023 00:08

YANBU. Sadly some people are total fucking Grotbags and those grotbags sell their home that way

Deathbyfluffy · 19/08/2023 00:12

I had similar and fizzed about it for weeks - the sellers promised to come back and sort it but never did.

When they accidentally had a gaming laptop delivered to their old address a few weeks later mysteriously they were suddenly much more receptive to a resolution - sort it out before I hand the laptop over 😅

They weren’t in a great mood while doing it, but at least it got them to sort it.

ChoresSuck · 19/08/2023 00:13

I had similar. Completed midday. Got round there and they had hired a Luton van to move a 3 bed house. They finished at 5pm in November so it was in darkness. Dirty went o got in and they had drained the water for some reason. Turned out the fuckers had knocked the water tank when emptying the loft and crack it. Repaired it with fibreglass filler and the shower pump leaked. The integral fridge freezer also didn't work. I was so pissed off.

BunsensBunny · 19/08/2023 00:20

Imsureitsprobablymebut · 18/08/2023 23:10

We had 6 calves left in the garage and the roof taken from the stables (presumably for their new place!).

Tip it & move on x

Calves as in baby cows? 😮

stevalnamechanger · 19/08/2023 00:22

I request a pre completion viewing now , I actually delayed my most recent completion as the house wasn't "vacant possession" as was full of crap

GoingGoingUp · 19/08/2023 00:24

We had the opposite experience as sellers. We moved into our new home before we sold our old property, so the old place was completely empty. Our buyers were FTB and we wanted them to have a nice experience of buying their first home so paid several hundred for a deep clean, including steam cleaning the carpets. The carpets weren’t that bad at all but thought it would be nice for them.

Except somehow the steam clean completely ruined and burnt the carpets in several places, and as it happened right before completion, we didn’t have the time to sort it out with the cleaning company. Feel so unbelievably bad that a nice gesture completely backfired in that way.

Yfory · 19/08/2023 00:26

I want to know more about the 6 calves!

Op I know its annoying but I think its best just to clear up the mess and enjoy your new home (and contact the EA re how long it took you to clear the mess and the window issue). All sorts of junk in my house when we moved in. Loads of dodgy carpet in the basement, lots of junk in the garden. Tins in a cupboard, cleaning stuff under the sink.

Canisaysomething · 19/08/2023 00:38

I thought it was pretty standard to allow time for a proper clean when buying a home, it's not like a rental.

MarieKlepto · 19/08/2023 00:38

All these filthy people! All these people who wake up on moving day and start to think about packing! Madness. It comes up time after time on MN and it seems to make no difference whether the property is a one bed flat or a country pile.

Saschka · 19/08/2023 00:44

Imsureitsprobablymebut · 18/08/2023 23:10

We had 6 calves left in the garage and the roof taken from the stables (presumably for their new place!).

Tip it & move on x

Calves as in baby cows, or is that a typo? 🤣

QueenCamilla · 19/08/2023 00:47

I might raise the broken window as an issue.
Other than that, YABU.
It's - your house now. Clean it and crack on moving in and making it a nice home.
Buying is not like renting with end of tenancy cleans, etc. How would "projects" sell otherwise?

ReadingSoManyThreads · 19/08/2023 00:48

The vendor was absolutely a dick here. Why the hell was he only packing up the house on completion day? Completely disorganised wanker. Really, your moving vans should be being loaded first thing on the morning of completion, so you can promptly vacate (after cleaning), on actual completion, which most commonly happens around noon/lunchtime ish.

I'm sorry you've had your first experience of buying your first home marred by this selfish, disorganised, filthy tosser.

As for the EA, they too were dicks to keep delaying key exchange, they know full well that come completion, the house belongs to YOU, and the vendor should be leaving.

I'm sure once you've cleaned up, moved in and unpacked, you'll soon move on though.

Jeez, still can't believe that tosser was still packing after completion. Total cheeky fucker.

NoSquirrels · 19/08/2023 00:51

It’s not as simple as us getting a skip, as we are on a busy main road and would have nowhere to put it.

That’s why they didn’t do it.

We don’t have the time to get rid of extra crap that isn’t ours.

Alas, now it is yours - I’m not being dismissive at all but it’s honestly going to cost you less in time and stress in the long run to just shrug, pick up the dog shit, dispose of the mess and try to forget about it than it is to contact the seller or the estate agent or the solicitors who won’t make it a priority or will charge you a fortune if they do.

Clean up, move on. It’s honestly the best way.

Pudmyboy · 19/08/2023 01:25

blahblahblah1654 · 18/08/2023 23:55

When we moved in to our house it was filthy. Complete with a vase full of dog shit in the garden!

Wow: I think this post wins the Grim House Move award (which I just made up but which should be a thing)!

IsTheOffDutyDoneYet · 19/08/2023 01:51

Ew to the vase full of shit, and also the calves intrigue me too.

I’m starting to wish I’d not moaned about it being dirty now, as that really isn’t the main issue here. I did not expect it to be spotless, or for a full clean to have been done. I think it just feels worse because it feels like a monumental task to get it clean, but that aside the dog poo is the main bug bear, as well as the stuff being left. And also the dry wall being ripped down then just left there..kinda a big thing really as it’s something they‘ve destroyed for no reason.

In terms of the vendor today, I don’t want to say too much however they’ve had the completion date for well over a fortnight. Nothing was packed. The vendors have separated, and the EX and children weren’t living there, so in terms of on the day it’s not like a child was ill or something. It was just that the vendor didn’t get the keys to his new place until 12:30, so he couldn’t take his stuff til then, but he’s pretty much done a full house clear apart from what they left. We got a phone call at 3:50 asking if we wanted some bunk beds as they were having trouble taking them down. So really to me, that should have already been done and they should have been packed to go. However it was like nothing was ready, and he has done multiple journeys to his new property today. When he handed the keys over he actually said “everything is out”, which it clearly isn’t.

Anyway, I'll chalk this one up and if we move again I have some lessons to take away from this. Having watched some YouTube videos I think we should be able to sort the brackets so there is at least that. Sounds like two years might be the sweet spot for eventually getting settled! Thanks again.

OP posts:
Codlingmoths · 19/08/2023 02:22

I want to know more about the calves too! People actually left baby/young animals that needed care?? ☹️☹️☹️

UmbrellaSoldiers · 19/08/2023 03:06

When we got the keys to our house the previous owners were still there with all their shit in the back garden. The garden was literally full of their possessions. At 6.30 pm we had to ask them to leave and come back the next day so we could relax and enjoy our first evening in the house. I had to take another day off work to make sure they came back and took the rest of their crap.
We contacted solicitors but ultimately there was nothing we could do, it was just really shitty of the previous owners.