Seller is a pr*ck and left his hot tub in our garden

[slimshadyscousin]

Completed on a house last week and seller left his hot tub in the garden which was not agreed and not expected. Doesn’t seem in a massive rush to get it removed despite going through solicitors and also contacting him directly for updates on its removal. I feel at a loss…what do I do?

Is it a blow up one or a hard standing? Someone will take it and pay you for the privilege

Give it a couple of weeks and then sell it. They didn't forget or are coming up. They just couldn't be bothered.
Our sellers left soooo much stuff you won't believe.
We complained to solicitors that then contacted their solicitors...bla bla...no answers.
We ended up selling it on Facebook. I think we made more than £700. But then spent half of it on a skip to put the crap that wasn't sellable🫣

You can claim expense

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP show is a pic!
I love hot tubs

Gosh, I’d just offer it free to friends/family. Wouldn’t bother with a solicitor wrangle.

Vacant possession means nobody living there. Unless this hot tub has developed a personality, it doesn’t apply.

Good grief this is peak Mumsnet! How ungrateful and entitled can someone be! I'd bloody kill to have a hot tub in my garden ( because I have a bad back ), I'd be over the moon if someone left me one in their garden! Just feel lucky that you are well enough to not need a luxury like this OP...

I’d be devastated if someone left a hot tub in a house I bought. I’m not ungrateful, I just haven’t got naff taste. They’re awful things. The previous owner doesn’t want it and they are a nightmare to move hence why he left it. I’d be furious.

There is no point asking your solicitor to send more letters, they can’t make the seller do anything and are probably charging you. The seller aren’t going to come back. Just get rid.

They aren't charging, fees have already been paid. It's a breach of the sale and yes the solicitor needs to be involved.

@ChocolateCinderToffee 100%

They havent been "left" this item, because it isnt their property to either use (and pay the astronomical electricity bill for) or indeed sell. they are not legally allowed to do anything with it but put up with it, whilst it takes up space on the land they do legally own! In order to use it or get rid of it they need to take expensive legal steps in order to cover themselves.

Just because you would love one and dont have one doesnt mean that the OP should be overjoyed at being saddled with an expensive piece of crap she doesnt want.

I am loving the idea of a sentient hot tub!

"He did nasty things in me, can you be my nice clean friends please?"

Do not listen to those telling you to simply sell it. The Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 applies. There is a process you have to follow before you can sell the hot tub. Having sold it, the proceeds of sale (less any costs) go to the person who sold the house to you.

The problem is we all get lulled into a false sense of security that rules or laws will protect us from this kind of thing but as you're finding out that's not the case. Despite the fact that all paperwork signed by vendor says nothing will be left the only way to force this now is to spend more money and potentially take them to court. Advertise it and hope someone takes it away for you.

Oh is it a nice one, you should sell it on!!

No you don't send them to court. You send them an invoice for removal, you tell your solicitor to deal with it. If the solicitor doesn't comply you take it up as a complaint.

It means free of people, animals or chattels

A seller has a reasonable right to collect anything they left behind, so don't sell it. What's reasonable, a couple of months, I'd say, but check with your solicitor. If it's in the way, eg, if you want to add a conservatory, you may be able to add urgency to the removal. They can't leave it there beyond a reasonable length of time. Ask your solicitor what happens if they don't collect it.

If it’s a fixed one, it’s gonna be a pain to get rid off. As who ever wants it will have to arrange a flat bed people to lift it and disconnect it. If it’s a lazy spa then eBay as spares repair or local facebook. It’s a bit of an awkward time of year, personally for inflatable ones but it is the school holidays !

Our seller left loads of stuff behind. We went straight back to solicitor with a lengthy list, he then negotiated with the other solicitor and a price was agreed to pay for clearance. This was then transferred between the solicitors, then to us. Then we booked house clearance to dispose of it.

It didn't cost anything extra for the solicitor - it's part of conveyancing. It was a hassle having to organise clearance etc though!

Says who?

I would sell it. Get it on Facebook Marketplace. The exact same thing happened to a neighbour last year - hot tub left behind and the new owners sold it for £400 - you’ll be surprised as they are expensive brand new!

Ooh, that's evil.😂