House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

[barty9]

I have just received a letter from solicitors claiming that the house i recently sold was left 'untidy' and that the washing machine doesn't work (it was fine for me two days before and had been working for a full four years!)

I have some images of each room proving otherwise. However i was given only 4 days to move a three bedroom house and did leave bagged rubbish bags in the relevant bins.

Buyers are now looking for compensation!

1. should I ignore the letter
2. or do I reply with a kind foxtrot oscar letter

many thanks

[MIKE770]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

that same thing was tried with me when I moved i.e. stuff in loft, well an old water tank which was there before I moved in the old place, etc if the roof gets replaced as is norm the space to remove any tanks etc will be accessable for removal, other items in a far corner ? must be grandad stuff been there so long, as for our stuff it was sent to the tip, and a request thru selling solicitor for photos and an apology from buyers solicitor for demanding action or compensation was met by silence by us. heard no more of the non-sence, as for here we bought we put up with stuff not cleared as the old lady died, so could not be contacted!

some of these people get large discount on property then expect both sides to be wiped.

[enquirer]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

I have just received a letter from solicitors claiming that the house i recently sold was left 'untidy' and that the washing machine doesn't work (it was fine for me two days before and had been working for a full four years!).

Did they pay extra for the washing machine, was it specifically included in the sale price, or was it simply 'left for them'? Proving that it was left in a defective condition would be next to impossible. Furthermore, at 4 years old, it might fail at any time.

I have some images of each room proving otherwise. However i was given only 4 days to move a three bedroom house and did leave bagged rubbish bags in the relevant bins.

There's no problem with trash in the bins, and you have photos showing the interior to be okay, so where's the claim?

You might send a letter back stating that:

'Your clients claim is entirely without foundation and is rejected in its entirety. You are advised that the interior of the property was photographed prior to departure'.

Do not give them copies of the photographs.

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

thanks for this - I am very worried now - I have just checked with my bank and the cheque from the proceeds of sale has been refused! surely they can't do this?!

Did they pay extra for the washing machine, was it specifically included in the sale price, or was it simply 'left for them'? Proving that it was left in a defective condition would be next to impossible. Furthermore, at 4 years old, it might fail at any time.


There's no problem with trash in the bins, and you have photos showing the interior to be okay, so where's the claim?

You might send a letter back stating that:

'Your clients claim is entirely without foundation and is rejected in its entirety. You are advised that the interior of the property was photographed prior to departure'.

Do not give them copies of the photographs.

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

it was agreed that the white goods would be left just like when i purchased the property. I was even using the washing machine 3 days before without any problems. I would say that the washing machine is actually closer to 6 years old

[Amethyst]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

Was the letter from your solicitors or the buyers solicitors ?

How come you only had 4 days notice of the completion date?

Was the sale 'normal' or some kind of quick equity release type sale ? (ie why was it a cheque payment?)

Are they built in white goods?

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

Was the letter from your solicitors or the buyers solicitors ? the buyers used the same solicitor

How come you only had 4 days notice of the completion date? - i wanted until the end of this month but compromised to today 9/4/14 i was then pushed into being out because the said the buyers would pull out.

Was the sale 'normal' or some kind of quick equity release type sale ? (ie why was it a cheque payment?) cheque was the cheapest method as they charge for electronic payment (i know wish i was paid electronically!)

Are they built in white goods? - they are not built in white goods but are found in the adjoining garage/utility room as stand alone (hotpoint washing machine) Matsui fridge/ freezer

[enquirer]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

This sounds like a 'ransom case'. These were quite common a couple of years back.

Furthermore, if both buyer and seller have used the same solicitors (the same, rather than separate branches of the one firm), alarm bells start to ring. Using a cheque 'because it's cheaper' when electronic transfer is standard, also gives pause for thought.

How and why was the cheque refused? Did the bank say there were insufficient funds? Or was the cheque cancelled?

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

I have just confirmed with the solicitors that the cheque they issued was unsigned!!! They have said that funds will be sent electronically today and that the £36 fee for doing this will be waived.

I will wait for the funds to reach my account before hitting them with the helpful letter "your clients claim is entirely without foundation and is rejected in its entirety. You are advised that the interior of the property was photographed prior to departure."

Can I complain about the service I have received once this is all said and done? Prior to this they tried to hold the funds for a personal loan in my ex partners name! I feel at times that I have been completely up against it.

[MIKE770]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

tranfer electronically usually in your account by 1p.m. I found out with ours.

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

tranfer electronically usually in your account by 1p.m. I found out with ours.

thanks Mike I have chased the solicitors again this afternoon because it is past 2pm and nothing is showing!

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

"The Bank system has been down for several hours today so payments are late going out – should be with you by close of business today"

pull the other one

[Amethyst]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

The ''Bank System''??? Sh*t, that's not what you wanted at all.

Who are the solicitors firm ?

When did you exchange contracts?

[ploddertom]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

It sounds to me as if the solicitors are the ones with the most to gain, writing to you at £xxx per letter & charging the buyer, then writing on your behalf, I'd be very tempted to be having words with the Law Society or SRA.

[barty9]

Re: House Sold - Buyers claim it was left untidy

Contracts exchanged 31st March. I am not happy with the whole process at all but feel like my hands are tied until the proceeds of sale are finally in my bank account