Stuff left in property - how to approach?

[Olanabunny]

I will start by saying I am.a pushover and I need help to grow some balls. I hate confrontation.
I am completing Friday.
I asked the agent today if I could have a quick visit to measure something up. The vendor phoned me and said he would be in.
Property empty except for 2 beds. They have already moved out and I am not sure whether they are intending on leaving them. Thing is, they have already asked if we wanted to buy them and we said we don't- we have our own.
I know I need to address this but to who? The estate agent or the vendor themselves now we have each others number? I am so awkward but I don't want them and also dont want to have to pay to dispose of them myself. Anybody good with drafting a polite but firm message regarding this? Thanks

Unfortunately the time for addressing this was back when contracts were signed. Your solicitor could have inserted a clause into the contract that if they left behind any significant volume of unwanted articles then the cost of a skip collection would be deducted from the moneys to be transferred to them on completion.
If that didn't happen then there's very little you can do about it. Any items left in the building become your property, and your problem, upon completion.

I haven't completed yet. We complete Friday. I have only been made aware they are there today when I asked for a viewing. We declined the offer of buying them 3 weeks ago when asked by the estate agent. Nothing in paperwork anout leaving them. Looks like they have been unable to get rid of them. I don't want the same problem. I wish I had asked the vendor what they're doing with them while we were there but I am a dick

Tell the EA and get them to tell the vendor the beds must be moved.

If you’ve exchanged but not completed yet and know there is still stuff in the house then I would be asking the agent, and asking your solicitor to ask their solicitor, to get the vendors to confirm that vacant possession means vacant possession. I personally wouldn’t be liaising directly with the vendor…too much scope ‘misunderstanding’ that way.

It has also just occurred to me that the estate agents said they don't have a key. I will message the vendor and ask him to ensure all is clear and then follow up with the estate agents regarding both that and the need for them to have a key for me to collect from them on completion. Thanks everyone.

Give the beds away on Freecycle somebody will be very happy to have them

I don't really have the time nor inclination to do that tbh. I need to move into this house and build our own beds to be able to sleep in them that same night. I find large items like that a nightmare to get rid of as well as they piss about trying to get vans to collect etc.

Yes, tell the agent they need to be removed before completion. From experience, I'd check again to make sure it's been done before transferring the funds.

Dear estate agent. When i was at the house on x day I noticed that there were still two beds at the property. Could you please confirm with the vendor that the property will be fully empty before completion on x day. I would like you to personally confirm to me once the property is fully vacant, so that I can complete the purchase in confidence with your assurances.
many thanks……xyz

This isn't true. Most contracts state vacant possession as the norm, no extra clause needed. Only items that have been discussed and agreed upon can be left.

I had left a fridge and washing machine which the new purchasers wanted. I had signed everything and handed the keys to the EA then the day before they changed their minds and tried to insist that I take them away. This was at 5pm ish.
I no longer had a key so the estate agent refused on my behalf.

Insist now before it's no longer possible

What? No. This is incorrect advice, why are you posting it?!

Complete nonsense. The standard form the vendor will have completed will have had tickboxes for giving vacant possession and clearing any rubbish. Nor would any stuff left become the property of the new owners, unless agreed.

Tell the EA you want the beds removed, they are the best people to tell the sellers.

As a backup, also ask your solicitor to ask their solicitor to explain to their clients what vacant possession means.

This exactly

This is one to raise with your solicitor rather than the agents. Assuming the beds aren't listed on the Fixtures, Fittings and Contents form as staying, the seller needs to remove them. Far easier to tell your sol so he/she can raise it with the other side now.