Moving after 30 years in my house

[Mxflamingnoravera]

After 30 years in my lovely Victorian terrace I've decided to downsize to a two bed new build flat.
I've had back surgery which was not entirely successful and other aches and pains which makes my house too much for me.
I'm 15 years divorced and my son left home 10 years ago, it's time for a new family to love this house and garden.
....
But I'm lost, heartbroken, excited, don't know quite how to get the house sale ready. Can't clean because of my back, and can't garden for the same reason.

I've got a blitzer coming for the garden on Wednesday, and a decorator to paint over old water stains on my ceiling.

But how do I go from all this to an apartment? My son's room is pretty much the way it was when he left for university. His childhood books and toys are still here. I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of my decision.

I've seen an agent, I know what the house is worth. That's not the problem, it's the 30 years of STUFF that feels so overwhelming. Where do I start? Help!

Re how to get rid of stuff that won’t fit in the new flat & you don’t want to keep, my Dad moved abroad and when we got quotes from removals company’s, we asked them to also quote to remove and dispose of several large items including a big bookcase and a super king sized bed. They collected and disposed of these items on removals day, including the dismantling of the bed. So that’s one option.

Also if you list items on free cycle you will get rid of it all quickly. There is always someone who will want it. I even got rid of a broken chest of drawers.

Regarding your furniture and especially your Victorian chest of drawers, I would consider putting these on eBay, collection only, or contact a local auction house or antique dealer.

I've got rid of stuff via Facebook Marketplace, either sold or given away.
Everyone loves a freebie and you'll be inundated with messages.

People do expect to pay very little for second hand furniture though.

Yeah you get peanuts for second hand furniture.

It's nice if you can find a good home for it though, but we needed it (especially the bed) right up to Completion as someone was still living there. Probably should have tried to sell or give away the bookcase but it was a stressful time.

I know how little second hand furniture gets, and I'm fine with giving it away. It'll be a way off yet, I'm not getting rid of anything until we exchange.

I'll need some new bits myself, I'm going to treat myself to some good classic pieces.

I just want it all speeded up now it's real.

Fabulous news and very exciting for you! I hope it all goes through smoothly.

I would second FB marketplace especially if you are offering it for free. I had a huge piece of furniture that went within hours on the basis it was first come first served. Collected and gone.
There are quite a few charities that specialise in setting up people who are being housed due to domestic abuse or other challenges. The council might provide housing but it will be bare walls and floors so you can potentially line them up to come and collect a few pieces, it just takes a little longer as they need to line up storage.

I'm excited for you! I'll probably be in a similar position by next year and I'm looking to downsize to a flat & balcony overlooking the sea.

Th ones I'm looking at are all leasehold with a range of management charges. What reasons have people given you for not buying a leasehold flat?

The British Heart Foundation will also uplift furniture if it had fire labels in the case of flammable furniture.

@Shetlands Lease monthly charges can increase a lot if something unforeseen happens to the building (eg lift needs replacing). Leaseholders have been badly stung with costs they hadn't anticipated when they bought.

I'm still waiting to see and discuss the lease with my solicitor.

I am still very set on the flat though. It is perfect for me. I'm gazing out of my kitchen window looking at the garden and it breaks my heart not to be able to do any gardening because of my back. I reckon I'll grow more in pots on my new balcony than I've managed in three years since my back surgery.

@Thatsthewayitisnt Will they take a double wardrobe from an upstairs room without me having to move it myself?

My solicitor told me today they cannot act for me on the purchase of my flat because it is subject to the new building safety regulations 2022. I called three practices recommended by the sales agent not one called me back wanting the work. Apparently solicitors are very scared of taking on this work. I'm broken, there are no other apartments for sale where I want to live. There are loads of nice places in area of the city I don't want to live in, but nothing where I do.

www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2023/6/car-crash-building-safety-rules-putting-sales-at-risk

Yes. Put in the ad that the person needs to dismantle it.

Can you ask the builders to recommend a solicitor?
Or knock on doors of people already moved in. You can get online solicitors nowadays so look online

@Halfemptyhalfling it is not a new build, it is 25 years old, most people will have moved in pre 2022.

I'll be spending most of today on the phone trying to find a solicitor.

I'm going to push on with the sale anyway. I need to move.

You don't need a solicitor to be local to you. Perhaps if you give an indication here of the area a MNetter may be able to recommend someone.

I also live in a building originally built in the 1930s and converted into a block of flats in 2002 that I suspect will be a hard sell should I wish to move so I empathise. The cladding issues are being paid for by the original developer I understand which is something to be glad about.

Good luck with your search for a solicitor.

These solicitors will do conveyancing for it:
https://gdlegal.co.uk/news/building-safety-act-conveyancing/

"The Building Safety Act 2022 has thrown up many issues for property solicitors during the conveyancing process. Whether it’s getting hold of the documents from landlords, confirming the ‘relevant building’, working with lenders or dealing with confusion over remediation work, the BSA 2022 has created a lot of problems for conveyancers.

At GD Property Solicitors, we know about these difficulties, but we’re blessed with a talented team of highly qualified, experienced property solicitors who can deal with such obstacles."

I found a lawyer yesterday after many calls and they are London based. It makes sense, London has loads of high rise, an extra £660 quid for the BSA stuff, it's all moving again now. I'm just a bit pissed off that neither agent nor solicitor mentioned this issue when I had my offer accepted. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now.

I'm now debating whether I need to bother with a survey, it's a flat, I know the BSA issues, what can a surveyor tell me about a 25 year old flat that is going to be worth another £600- £2500 quid when I don't need a mortgage? If it was a Victorian conversion of course I'd have a survey done, but a flat in a large block...is it worth it?

I wouldn't bother unless you think you can use a survey to negotiate some money off the price.

Otherwise, on a 25 year old flat, no I wouldn't bother.

You really don't need a local solicitor. When we sold DMIL's house to pay for her residential care, we used our solicitor, who we know to be organised and responsive, and that they were 300 miles away didn't alter the transaction's pace at all.

Anyone out there still reading this thread?

I need advice... I am worried that my conveyancing solicitors cannot cope with the job. I suspect they are offshore. I'm buying a leasehold place. I read in the papers at the weekend that these companies cannot cope with leasehold and I do not want to lose my place. I want to ditch my lawyers and start again with a local firm who understand leasehold. But I don't know how to go about this. Who do I go to for help?

I saw a review for the firm I'm using today, posted today saying don't touch them with a brace poll, it had taken more than a year for their purchase to be sorted.

*barge pole!

Speak to the local firm and if they can help, fire the previous firm.

@BirthdayRainbow that's what my gut is telling me to do.

OP, I've just read this thread, and so happy for you that you have a buyer for your house, and have made the decision to move. I can't offer any advice since I am not in UK, but just wanted to say keep your chin up!

My son bought a property in January, and ran into quite a few issues, causing stress. I just tried to tell him that if it doesn't happen, then it wasn't meant to be and another property will come up. I know it is hard when you have your heart set on a place. Good luck, and I will keep current on your move.