We moved house 6 months ago and I absolutely loath the new place. I loved it when we viewed it, and we knew it needed a lot of work and I was quite looking forward to a project. However it was as if during the six months it took for the conveyancing to conclude the previous owner really let the place go. Although dated and needing some repairs, when we viewed it was at least clean and functional and looked like it was loved and lived in. Not so when we moved in. By then the previous owners had filled the place with rubbish and left it all for us. They clearly hadn’t cleaned since they stopped taking viewings as the filth was unbelievable. The smell in the kitchen was horrific and nothing seemed to shift it. We discovered the cooker didn’t work. The washing machine they kindly left was broken. The shower didn’t work. Nor did the boiler. It was honestly like it had turned into a different house. The removal men were shocked and said they’d never seen so much rubbish left behind. Myself and my husband cried, and he never cries. Six months later and I have worked non stop aside the tradesmen 8 hours a day. It’s been my full time job. Every room has been replastered, we’ve replaced rotten floors, replaced the kitchen and bathroom. It’s almost finished inside now. Yet I still absolutely hate it. It just fills me with a really horrible oppressive sense of doom. I get odd days where I like it again but I feel like the whole thing was tainted by the mess left for us and the fighting with the previous owners to come and clear all the old furniture and the rubbish. I just can’t seem to get over the feeling of revulsion I have even now it’s all pretty much done up. It’s much bigger than our last house, we needed more space, it’s exactly what I wanted on paper: a period house (1600s) in a rural location. So why does it still not feel like home? It has me in such a state of depression.
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Crocky · 07/05/2022 14:19
What about showing us some of the things that you have done to it or sharing with friends and family. See it through other peoples eyes?
Fleahag · 07/05/2022 14:04
It's awful what they've done but maybe think about why and how sad their lives must've been for it to get like that. Maybe they have a death in the family, crippling illness or ageing dementia suffering parents, severe SEN kids, lost their jobs etc .... and change the feeling of anger to feeling sorry for them.
BlueKaftan · 07/05/2022 14:07
Burn some sage and go through each room, spending time and giving it tlc. It deserves to be loved again!
VintageGibbon · 07/05/2022 14:17
I will risk sounding completely bonkers here, but I would give it a house blessing ceremony. If you are of a faith, you can ask a local cleric to do it for a small fee or donation. If not, have your own dippy, hippy version. This is to exorcise the horrible memories of the state they left the house in and to make it yours. Some people burn sage (it makes me nauseous) but you could light loads of candles, bring lots of fresh flowers into the house, burn incense if you like it, and walk from room to room, opening windows to let out the old, and placing candles and fresh flowers to bring in the new.
You can also create little corners or altars to things you love doing that are focal points in each area. So if you love reading, create a cosy place to curl up with a great chair and soft throw, cushions, a side table with a lamp and small pile of good books. If you are all sporty, create a neat organised area in your hallway where sports equipment is displayed, ready to be used. Etc.
Bit by bit, reclaim the house. Focus a lot on the front door too so that it invites you in and really feels yours with outdoor lighting and planting that welcomes you and isn't a reminder in any way of the previous owners.
Think of the house like a rescue pet,. Poor sod having been neglected by the previous owners.
And on a practical note, have a word with the solicitors. People who don't clear their stuff could be in breach of contract and fined for any expense incurred by you (skip hire etc.)
pictish · 07/05/2022 14:36
I can sympathise with you. When we bought our house the current/previous owner wrangled over the pettiest of things during the process, left a fuckton of old crap behind and stripped the place of anything useful including the bannister, lightbulbs and the dishwasher that was agreed as part of the sale. Once we moved in, the extent of their botch job DIY attempts became expensively clear. Her measly, peevish, selfish, disagreeable incompetence permeated the place for ages souring what should have been an exciting new chapter as a family.
We've been in the house for 13 years now and it entirely feels like home. Honestly I think it even took a couple of years for her stink to fade but fade it did. Hang on in there. Xx
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