Flat buyer persistently messaging post completion

[Angelwithhalo]

I sold my flat in February and during the conveyancing exchanged numbers with the buyer at their request to directly negotiate a price reduction for works. On completion I left a folder with detailed instructions of how to use all the integrated appliances, utility meter locations, boiler manual and service history, bin days etc in the kitchen along with a new home card and thought that would be the end of contact between us.

However I have been having a steady stream of texts and queries from the buyer. Some of it is simple things like clarification on how to work the boiler, which water meter belongs to the flat. Others just seems like them complaining but posed as a question for example:
The internet connection doesn’t reach the main bedroom, how did we deal with that inconvenience?
What did we do about windows feel draughty and letting on street noise (windows are original wooden sash and on a busy main road which was apparent before buying)
The lounge smells strongly of damp, did you notice this? (I gave them 5k off agreed price after they had a damp survey)
Complaints about hearing the owner of the flat above moving around (Again it’s a converted period property so I could hear them but just a single adult so occasional footsteps and washing machine, no parties or late nights/early mornings)

There have been lots of other questions and at first I was responsive as I felt bad that the buyer seemed unhappy with the flat and sympathetic to them as a first time buyer but it feels a bit relentless and I’m not sure what the motive is behind messaging me.

Has anyone else experienced this/is this common?
Any advice for dealing with this, I would be tempted to ignore but we are still in the same town so dont want the awkwardness of bumping into them.

You should never give personal contact details to a buyer.
Thats why we have estate agents and solicitors.

Block the number OP

The OP wanted a solution that wasn't just plain ignoring them as she doesn't want it to be awkward if she bumps into them as they live in the same town. Hence the reason I suggested the slow fade option (or palaver in your opinion). By the looks of things the OP has had lots of advice and is now confident to deal with it however she sees fit.

Tara why would you have to be involved in s neighbours sale, were you just witnessing things ?

I had this from first time buyers who were renters I said the flat is yours now. Don’t contact me further and they didn’t.

You shouldn’t slow fade as that drags things on.

@pinkdelight ’s response was absolutely perfect. Firm, clear, unambiguous and polite. They also advised you to then block only if your buyer persisted.

this is very sensible advice and what you should do!

Our buyers used to send me hysterical angry messages any time thought they heard a mouse in the house. This went on for 3 years until they sold up and moved on. I still hate them.

Yep block, this isn't the norm , leave them to it.

Ah that’s funny. Internet is not a fixture and fitting. 😂

Block them! Or better still tell them to F off their flat their problem. You sold it they own it. It’s nothing to do with you any more. Tell them not to contact you again.

We were first time buyers, and never exchanged contact details with the vendors. It really didn’t occur to me. The estate agents, while obviously acting on behalf of the seller, were fantastic.

In few years since we moved in, we have had two things crop up where we ideally needed to speak to the previous owner. On both occasions I rang the estate agent, and asked if they felt it was suitable/possible for them to contact the previous owner. Both times, they agreed and he responded quickly. He also consented to them passing his contact details on should we need further information, which was lovely.

The way I see it is you should ask anything and everything you think you need to know before completing. Yes, there will be queries and things that crop up (these were so random they never occurred to us, and he had provided a really comprehensive ‘guide’ to the property) - but from completion day it’s all up to you!

A clear message to the new owners should suffice, if not, definitely block!

It's probably a good thing we never had a phone number for our seller! It was January when we looked at the house and the seller told us how useful the back door from the utility room was and how her dc washed their dirty hands in the sink etc. We moved in and discovered the door had been sealed shut!

“Really? Can’t say I ever noticed.”

Haven’t read the entire thread but no, it’s not normal in any way, or acceptable for that matter.

block them.

Ah right. I'd withdraw all support. They seem to think you are a landlord.

I think they think she's their mum...

Vague is the way- I’m not sure to be honest/ I can’t remember/ I never noticed/ ask next door they might know/ sorry I don’t know. Keep extending time between replies. Then I’d be tempted to send a text as if it was a blanket text.” I’m changing my number soon so I might not be contactable . New number will follow when it’s set up.” Then block. I don’t like confrontation!

I dont think this behaviour is common. They are obviously clueless. You've been too kind and accommodating. I agree maybe a message in the first week or so but no more than that. I would prefer not to block them but I'd stop replying to their messages.

@Angelwithhalo I agree with everyone who says block them. Even if they were working up for some kind of retrospective payment for fixing something they're not going to get it. I sold a flat and about 6 months later their solicitor contacted mine to say there was a small financial adjustment needed on the share of freehold payment (about 500 quid). My solicitor pointed out that they should have established a "hold back" fee to cover any unseen expenses and as they failed to do so, the cost fell to them to pay. So that was the end of it.

If you want to be firm but polite reply something like,

’Hi Bob, I haven’t owned the flat for three months now. You’re the new owners and I’m sure whatever you decide with be just fine.’

Sounds like they might be joint freeholders?

Our downstairs neighbour is similar - not aggressive, but asking me for our original copies of paperwork that she has lost (15 year old party wall agreements with the neighbours, our copy of the freehold, wanted to know who owns which boundaries in her garden when we don’t have any outside space so have no clue who owns her back fence as it isn’t on our lease).

She asked me last week who serviced her boiler three years ago! I have literally no idea Sandra, all I can tell you is it wasn’t me.

Yep that will be their patchy router at fault, not OP’s air.

BLOCK!
They've bought your flat, not your life as well

@Saschka that last comment made me laugh out loud! I feel for you!

I sold a house and moved three streets away. One day my former neighbours walked by to complain that the new owners weren’t letting them use their bin. For context I was a single woman and my former neighbours were a household of nine and it was never a problem for me to share my bin with them. My former neighbours actually wanted me to go and talk to the new owners and explain that they had to share the bin.

Get the fuck out of here 😱

Those people are bonkers.

We turned up with the keys to our new house and they were still moving out. Went to estate agents to complain. They shrugged. Stopped off at b &q and bought a new lock as it was obvious the vendor hadn't handed over all the keys. Let ourselves in at teatime when they had finally gone. Ten o'clock at night, there she is, struggling to get the door open where we had changed the lock. The look on her face when i answered the door! told her she no longer owned the house andcee had changed locks. she asked if she could take plants from the garden the next day. I agreed but stood over her while she did it. CF. Ruined our moment of buying our first home together.