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What Do I Need To Do For The Buyer Of My House?

Written by Neil Cumins Posted On Sunday, 15 November 2020 22:07

Moving house is hugely stressful, yet often exciting if you’re moving up the property ladder or starting a new adventure. As such, people tend to focus on the house they’re buying rather than the one they’re selling. However, any home seller has certain responsibilities, and failing to honour these commitments may result in legal squabbles following you to your new address…

Honour the property particulars

Schedules don’t just tell potential buyers what your home contains. They also form a contract to include listed items unless these are described as being available subject to negotiation. Even if you love your bedroom carpet, it’ll have to stay if the bedroom is described as carpeted. This is particularly relevant to kitchen appliances – you can’t tell the estate agent there’s a washer dryer and then load it into the removal van. Subject to negotiation items will be itemised in any written offers lodged with your solicitor, so the same principles apply.

If it’s bolted down or screwed in, leave it

There’s no reason to rip out wires and cables, or dismantle an alarm system. Try to avoid taking anything which may damage your property’s plasterwork or woodwork as it’s extracted. Honour the spirit as well as the letter of the law; lightbulbs and TV aerials won’t be listed in the property particulars, but it’d be uncharitable to take them with you.

Keep it clean

Imagine what would disappoint you as you explore your next home for the first time – thick dust on the worktops, perhaps, or dirt around the bath. Nobody expects your current home to be pristine once the furniture is removed, but a thorough dust and vacuum is the least its next occupants will expect. Clean out kitchen cupboards and drawers, oil squeaky hinges, and wash the windows before leaving them open to air every room – even in winter. Most importantly, throw away your rubbish rather than dumping it in outbuildings or cupboards for the buyers to deal with.

Be organised on moving day

If the new owners aren’t able to obtain the keys to your property on schedule, this might prevent them being able to move in. It could even jeopardise the sale of their own home if they can’t move out on time, potentially leading to compensation being payable at a later date. Do whatever it takes to ensure your furniture is out of the house before the scheduled time, including packing well in advance, and confirming any bookings with removal companies or van hire firms before the big day.

Welcoming touches

Considerate vendors often write a note to their home’s next owners, wishing them luck and offering advice about essential maintenance like how to top up the boiler, and or brand/shade of paint has been used in each room. A bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers will also be universally appreciated. These small acts of goodwill could make the buyers willing to overlook minor complaints and issues, rather than reporting them to their solicitors…

By Neil Cumins of Property Workshop – propertyworkshop.com

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