Post Sale Issues - any thoughts?

[MargoLivebetter]

Recently moved. My buyers have put together a list of things that they think need fixing and want me to contribute to them. They got their solicitor to send it to mine. They didn't have a survey done, other than for valuation purposes, and only came to see the property once. They asked no questions about the state of anything, even though I offered to answer any questions they might have.

The property was in really lovely condition IMO obviously. I left it spotlessly clean and there wasn't a scrap of anything that shouldn't have been there left. There's no damp or anything concerning and all the appliances work properly. I also left all the instruction manuals, guarantees and useful information.

Their list has things like replacing a chipped cupboard door, replacing a misted double glazed window, replacing fridge and freezer drawers because the plastic has cracked in some places, replacing cracked tiles on the bathroom floor, replacing some of the paving stones that have become discoloured outside etc. None of these things were hidden or concealed when they viewed my place.

I've moved quite a few times now and I've never had this before. Is this normal nowadays? Do I just politely decline to contribute or is this a thing now?

They would only have a leg to stand on if they had asked you questions, and you were dishonest in your responses.

If they didn’t ask questions or get a survey done, they don’t have any comeback now.

Ageee with others. As long as you didn’t lie on the questionnaire, they have to accept it as it is. I guess you would have to pay the solicitor to respond, but you can respond to their solicitor. You have nothing to say though - fair wear and tear and priced accordingly. Not your responsibility. It was theirs to check everything out.

The only thing they could possibly claim for is if you’d left rubbish or your property which had to be removed / stored etc - I’m guessing young FTB with ridiculous entitlement.

I wouldn’t even pay for a solicitor to respond - just ignore them as it was on them to check before sale

Their solicitor knows they have no hope of claiming anything from you. They are just humouring their clients and sending the request, on the off chance that you might just pay up.

Absolutely none of this is your responsibility. It’s madness that their solicitor even contacted you.

I would tell your solicitor to please tell their solicitor you're stunned they even passed this ridiculous message on to you.

@Doris86 sounds like they are being CFs then! I really hate shit like this as my immediate reaction is to feel as though I have done something wrong. The forwarded message said that they were looking for contributions towards "broken or faulty items", which immediately makes me think I've sold something a bit dodgy.

Ridiculous. Let me guess - first time buyers?

@honeylulu weirdly not!

Ignore it totally. They are bonkers and have no legal claim.

Maybe they'd like you to foot the bill for redecorating, perhaps you should pop back and mow the lawn while you're at it? I'd probably ignore as if your solicitor replies it's going to cost.

Just ignore. It’s ridiculous

Have they only ever bought New builds before? Sounds like a snagging list. They buy the house as is, just ignore or get the solicitor to send a letter stating that.

I wouldn't ignore it but I wouldn't be paying for a solicitor to deal with it. Just contact the estate agent you sold through and tell them obviously you won't be paying for any of these items and can they convey that message to the buyers.

Cheeky buggers!!! Ignore them and block all contact.

I purchased a flat a few years ago, the owner was a weirdo and nightmare. I was purchasing the contents as well. Couldn’t get him to complete the TA10 form, but advised by his solicitor he would leave everything apart from personal belongings. When I got the keys the cheeky fucker had taken all sorts. I contacted my solicitor who informed me that even if he’d completed a TA10 form I’d have to take it to the small claims court, basically it’s a waste of time.

@Snippit 😲you do wonder what is wrong with some people. I left a bottle and a nice card too - which I hadn't now!

@MargoLivebetter They see you as a soft touch. By the sounds of it, your solicitor is not expecting you to do anything. Just say and do nothing.

There is no promise of perfection when you sell a “used” house. Assuming nothing is major and should have been declared, it was up to them to look at the property and satisfy themselves as to condition. Most people won’t look in a fridge though. So many people will find small annoying things they didn’t spot but your buyers didn’t even have a survey!

You have to ignore them and they are banking on you feeling guilty. Don’t engage with that. You haven’t got anything to feel guilty about.

Say to their solicitor that you presume s/he has already advised them that the property was sold as seen, any issues they had should have been raised before contracts were exchanged, and you won't be doing anything about their list.

@MargoLivebetter The for sale advert photos......can you see any of these things in those photos, including by zooming in? Even just a couple/few?!
Ultimately they didnt get a survey done. They didnt ask questions and i assume didnt do a in depth viewing to look at those issues before exchange in order to ask questions.

Realistically if it is literally things like a cracked draw or chipped paintwork/tiles they have no leg to stand on. If you hid any major issues, like known problems with electrics or boiler they may have some come back but not having done a survey or asked questions i doubt that would even get anywhere.

I would ask your solicitor to go back to theirs and politely point out they asked no quesitons. Didnt undertake a survey and made no attempt to discuss things prior to the sale therefore you will not be communicating further.

They’re crackers. Just ignore them

@WB205020 some of the things are visible on the estate agents particulars, like the misted window, the paving slabs and if you got out a magnifying glass you could probably see the chipped cupboard. Clearly the cracked fridge and freezer drawers were not visible. They didn't even ask me if all the major appliances were in working order though - not that there are any issues with any of them. Everything was serviced, thoroughly cleaned etc.

None of those things would come up on a questionnaire or a survey though.

The freezer and paving stones are just fucking batshit things to bring up. Cracked floor tiles - ffs, get over it. Nothing is perfect, even if they had noticed it viewing the house, what were they doing to do, offer lower for an imperfect bathroom floor, it’s just laughable, isn’t it!

I’d be responding with a laughing emoji (I’m childish).

Ignore it. They are crazy.

None of the things listed are remotely important. They are cosmetic at best. Their problem now. They should have looked properly- although, none of those things would stop you buying a house for Christ’s sake.

The more things like this I read, the more I realise why I prefer dogs over people.

@MargoLivebetter Then i wouldnt give it another thought. They are trying it on. Being CF's. Just tell your solicitor no, not your problem.

They are totally cheeky! Just ignore. These things are not your responsibility any longer.