Executors claiming personal belongings left behind.

[MN2025]

Hi all,

Interested to know thoughts on this. We have recently purchased our forever home - it was a probate property.

The executors of the deceased have put a note through the door asking if they can have access to the loft to remove belongings of their loved one up there.

To put timescales into perspective, we moved in here in Mid January, it’s now early April.

There were belongings up there which we had removed (nothing that I’d say was sentimental) and had tried to contact the executors if they’d like it but no luck so we disposed of them after a month (as we are completely renovating the property and converting the loft so we have no where to store them) I have told them this but they’re now claiming that we disposed of them unlawfully and that they want us to re compensate them.

The items in question were old records, books and boxes of junk pretty much that were probably no use to a charity shop!

I don’t think I’m being unreasonable at all but interested in other peoples thoughts?

The executors were a nightmare to deal with throughout the sale process, they wanted to leave furniture inside the property along with white goods, the estate agent had to tell them 3 times we did not want it!!!

This is the fact, vacant possession means the house has to be completely empty (except for anything noted in the forms). They are in breach of the contract leaving items in the property. They didn't remove everything before completion so anything left behind is for the new owners to what they like with. You've been more than considerate with them so tell them to do one now.

Have you got proof that you tried to contact them? Just forward the messages, say you bought a house with vacant possession but nevertheless you gave them a chance to reclaim the items, and if they wish to take it further you look forward to seeing them in court.

Keep the messages etc

So basically they moved into my parents life . Thought that a bit weird but it saved me the hassle of doing the house clear .

Our sellers left stuff above and beyond what they sold us, with our permission. We had some knackered sofas, so we dumped those before the move and sat on their knackered sofas for a month or two before we sorted new ones.

They’ve admitted they left a load of stuff so you could probably counter with a bill of your own! The disposal cost.

Everything in the property became yours at the moment of completion.

They haven't a leg to stand on. If the stuff was so important to them they should have cleared the house properly before completion.