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Original poster

Vendor left the property super dirty - How likely am I to recover any costs from them?

49 replies

allthecatsintheworld · 05/02/2022 09:56

I just got the keys to my first ever flat (yay!) but I was somewhat surprised to see the state of it.. The vendors did not even attempt to clean up after themselves (think all the integrated white goods with some yuck inside, x years worth of dust where they removed the furniture and every surface sticky etc etc). They basically lifted their stuff and went . I wasn't expecting it to be sparkling clean, but this is just gross..

They left plenty of holes in the walls, some with hangers still in, some without that need to be fixed after the hangers were pulled out with force, and, probably worst, did a terrible job at fixing some of the holes they made in the walls and skirting boards, which means now I need to remove whatever is done did before fixing it.

I'm quite broke after spending way more time in rentals than I planned to after the vendors moved the completion date 4 times, so if it's not realistic to recover the costs from the sellers I will probably need to clean it up myself and do some DIY on walls. Part of me wants to call in the professionals and try to recover the costs from the vendors, because how on earth do they think this is acceptable, but then I think my judgement may be clouded by rage.

OP posts:

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 05/02/2022 09:57

Sorry. That's pretty standard. I'd be surprised if you could recover any costs.

GoldenGorilla · 05/02/2022 09:59

They’re not responsible for leaving the property clean, I’m afraid. It’s courteous but not compulsory.

Holes in the walls are a bit more debatable but honestly the cost of legal action is unlikely to be worth it.

For now - especially as it’s the weekend! - just focus on cleaning everything. You can live with holes from handles etc for a while. Take photos of the worst examples and send them to your solicitor on Monday for advice.

Congratulations on your new home :)

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/02/2022 10:05

You don’t stand a chance, sorry OP.

Pegasussnail · 05/02/2022 10:07

Pretty standard but lacks manners or care.
I would polyfiller and sand holes.
Baking powder and vinegar will sort grime.
You will have it lovely soon

3xmonsters · 05/02/2022 10:08

It's not like renting, you get it in whatever state it is. Sorry!

IglesiasPiggl · 05/02/2022 10:10

Sadly some people have no courtesy, but as PP have said, you are unlikely to get anywhere pursuing it now that you are the owner. On the other hand, it's quite nice to give a new home a complete blitz when you move in. Start with the bathroom, then kitchen, and get to the rest when you can.

Chewbecca · 05/02/2022 10:10

There’s very little cost involved - mainly elbow grease from you.

Infinitemoon · 05/02/2022 10:12

Ours left an attic and shed full of junk, old washing machines too. I couldn't imagine doing that and we spent days clearing it all out as it just wasn't worth the hassle of pursuing it.

Inspectorslack · 05/02/2022 10:14

You won’t be able to recover any of Those costs. Sorry.

FelicityPike · 05/02/2022 10:16

Cleaning stuff is very cheap/ reasonable prices from Home Bargains or B&M. You can get polyfilla and stuff there too.
Sorry…it’s shit and rude but very normal.

Clymene · 05/02/2022 10:18

It's a first time buy fiat so I can't imagine it's going to take more than a day to clean it throughly and repair holes in walls.

Also to be honest, even if it looks clean, I've always cleaned again when I've moved in somewhere.

Congratulations on your new home

stuntbubbles · 05/02/2022 10:19

Standard, sorry. And it will cost more to recover any costs than it will to DIY repairs.

Our vendor left us BED BUGS , a shed full of disgusting, insane crap, a garden full of broken shit like old rusty bicycles, mattresses, etc; broken glass on floors and filthy rags on the windows, food in the sink, and hilariously, a greying old mop and bucket that the vendor later claimed she thought “might be useful”. She’d also left keys with all the neighbours instead of giving them to the estate agent. Our solicitor advised she was in breach of the contract in about a million different places but it wasn’t worth pursuing.

We just sent her a rude email instead and named our wifi after her filth. Hope the bailiffs that constantly come round for her catch up eventually!

Snowiscold · 05/02/2022 10:20

It’s normal. Of course they just lifted their stuff and went. Why would you expect them to clean it for you? Of course there are holes where their pictures were. Did you see the pictures when you viewed? It’d be extra nice if they did clean or fill holes but not in a million years would I expect it.

MintJulia · 05/02/2022 10:22

That's pretty standard. Lots of people under estimate how long it takes to move and then need to be out by the completion deadline.

Treat yourself to a set of cleaning stuff, a tub of pre-mix polyfilla and unpack the hoover. It shouldn't take more than the weekend.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 05/02/2022 10:23

Yeah, our first place was horrible. The oven was literally caked in gunge, everything was filthy and in one room the newly-applied wallpaper (which they made a big song and dance over in the viewing) was already falling off to reveal the extensive mildew underneath.

Muckymaisonette · 05/02/2022 10:26

When their post turns up just strike out the address, write RTS and put it back in the post when you can be bothered, except bailiff types -give them the new address!

Jannie62 · 05/02/2022 10:28

We bought our house off an absolute slob. I feel your pain!

Crabwoman · 05/02/2022 10:29

Pretty standard, sorry. It's not like renting where you will get the keys to a clean property.

I have moved a few times and I fully expect to spend a few days deep cleaning. From bitter experience I now also change the loo seats and locks

listsandbudgets · 05/02/2022 10:42

Not worth it OP. We bought a house some years ago which we knew had a damp problem. Our vendor left a mouldy sofa and 2 arm chairs, broken and mouldy fridge and dishwasher, every floor and surface filthy and a mouldering pool table in the cellar plus a ton of stuff in the loft.

.Our solicitors advised we hd a case but it was probably a lot less stressful and cheaper to hire a skip. It seemed he had sold the place to deal with bankruptcy so pursuing would have been almost pointless.

We had to gut place anyway to deal with damp so it was unlivable for 3 months but it wasn't best of starts!!!

Buy yourself some cleaning stuff and get on with it.

Muckymaisonette · 05/02/2022 10:48

Could be worse, you could find horrors like lethal DIY electrics, cupboard doors and taps fitted for a left-hander and flea infestations (+ the cat!)

foxy86 · 05/02/2022 10:50

Our house was the same. They left a ton of junk in loft and garden etc. They attempted to leave their washing machine full of washing too but luckily we were moving in as they were moving out and told them to get it moved and they seemed put out by it. We found out about the stuff in loft a couple of days later and got the solicitor on it and they came and moved it all. The cleaning was a pain as we bought from someone with dogs and birds. Oven had a greasy grill pan left in and was caked in grease. I was having to clean that on first day. We had to keep that oven for 2 year and was so happy to get rid as it was years old. We found lots of hidden DIY disasters too.

Beautiful3 · 05/02/2022 10:53

None! They don't have to clean it, but it is preferred.

eurochick · 05/02/2022 10:54

Cleaning is a courtesy. There's nothing you can do about it being grubby.

If it hasn't been left empty of their crap, that's a different matter as they are obliged to leave it empty.

Shmithecat2 · 05/02/2022 10:59

Unfortunately, unless it was specified and agreed in the contracts that it was to be left in a certain state, there's nothing you can do.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 05/02/2022 11:07

Your rage is justifiable, it is really shoddy behaviour.

Sadly though you would spend money on lawyers fees and see no return.

Congratulations on having bought your flat, take out your rage in a vigorous clean up, spruce up with cheap paint for now, and lovingly refurbish but by bit as you develop the vision as to how you want your home to be.

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