Property sold as "Vacant Possession" but a lot of items left behind?
I've recently (about 3 weeks ago) completed the purchase of my first property in the UK (England) and to my dismay, a significant amount of personal items have been left behind by the seller. Some include:
- Items left in both sheds (Tubs of paint, fishing rods, toys, mouldy children's car seat)
- Garden full of footballs/children's scooter/full goalpost + net
- Kitchens drawers/Cabinets full of pots/pans/cutlery + Food (Food was thrown away as it was all out of date)
- 2 single beds + 1 massive non-fixed wardrobe (Not included on fixtures and fittings document
- Significant amount of spare bedding + empty designer shoeboxes
- Loft with various items (Box of children's toys, Christmas tree + decorations, stepladders, 2 printers, tools etc)
- Cracked 50" TV left mounted on the wall
I text the seller on the day I moved in stating there was a lot left behind and he said he doesn't want anything. I started to throw things away (Bedding + food) but by the end of the first week in the house, I realised how much effort it would take to remove everything else.
At the end of the 1st week, I called my solicitors and advised them, to which they replied that it certainly seems like a breach of contract and I should send them photos of everything, including the text of the seller acknowledging that items were left behind and they instructed me to not throw anything else away.
At the end of the 2nd week, I hadn't received a reply from my solicitor so I E-Mailed them back to chase and was advised that the seller's solicitor hasn't confirmed what action they are taking, but instead asked "why you waited so long to bring it to attention when it was discussed directly with their client on the day of completion". My solicitor then advised me that "the likelihood of him removing the items now or contributing to the removal of the items is highly unlikely unfortunately" I responded to state that my conversation with the seller is superseded by the contract, I work 5 days a week in an office and I have taken this time to attempt to move in and only now discovered the full extent of what was left behind, and how much effort and money it will cost for me to dispose of everything.
I'm now about to go into the 3rd week and I'm still living out of boxes. I know a skip would only be about £200-ish, but the fact of the matter is that I believe (And my solicitor I presume) that the contract was broken by the seller. What options would I have if the seller refuses to pay for a skip or remove any items?