Buying a new home is both an exciting and stressful experience, and the last thing anyone wants to deal with is finding rubbish left behind by the previous owners. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for new homeowners to discover unwanted items, garbage, or even hazardous waste left behind by sellers. If you find yourself in this situation, here are seven things you can do to address the issue.
1. Check Your Purchase Agreement and Home Inspection Report
Before taking any action, reviewing your purchase agreement and home inspection report is essential. These documents may include provisions that require the sellers to remove all their belongings and debris from the property before closing the sale. If the sellers violated these provisions in any shape or form, you might have legal recourse to recover the rubbish removal costs.
Additionally, your home inspection report may have identified any hazardous waste or environmental concerns that may have been left behind. If this is the case, you may need to hire a professional company to remove the waste safely.
2. Contact the Sellers
If you find rubbish left behind by the sellers, the first step is to contact them and request that they remove it. In most cases, the sellers may not have intentionally left the rubbish and will be willing to handle the issue. You can contact the sellers directly or through your Estate Agent, who can act as an intermediary.
When contacting the sellers, it is essential to be polite and professional. If you are confrontational or aggressive, you may make the situation worse. Remember that you will likely need to work with the sellers during the closing process, so maintaining a positive relationship is in your best interest.
3. Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
If the sellers are unwilling or unable to remove the rubbish, you may need to hire a professional cleaning service to do it for you. A professional cleaning service can remove the rubbish quickly and safely without causing damage to your new home.
One of the most effective ways to find a reputable cleaning company is to ask for referrals from Estate Agent, as they often work with cleaning companies and can recommend a company they trust. If you’re not working with an agent, you can ask friends, family, or colleagues if they’ve ever used a cleaning company for a property transaction.
4. Donate or Recycle
Donating reusable items is not only good for the environment, but it can also benefit your community. Many charities depend on donations to support their programs and services, and donating unwanted items can help ensure these organisations can continue operating and assisting those in need.
Recycling is another option for dealing with reusable items. Many materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, and aluminium, can be recycled into new products. Recycling these materials helps to conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and minimise waste in landfills.To make the sorting process easier, be sure to hire a rental skip and separate your recyclables from your non-recyclables.
Regarding recycling, it is important to follow the guidelines set by your local recycling program. This may include separating materials into different skips, ensuring that items are clean and free of food residue, and avoiding items that cannot be recycled. By following these tips, you can ensure that your recyclables are processed efficiently and effectively.
5. Dispose of Hazardous Waste Responsibly
If the rubbish left behind includes hazardous waste such as chemicals or batteries, it must be disposed of properly to avoid harm to the environment and people.
You can contact your local council or environmental agency for advice on disposing of hazardous waste in your area. It’s important to follow their guidelines and not to dispose of hazardous waste in regular bins or down the drain. By disposing of hazardous waste responsibly, you are helping to protect the environment and the health of people and animals in your community.
Alternatively, you can find a reputable skip hire company in Stoke-on-Trent that specialises in hazardous waste disposal .They will know how to handle and dispose of it safely and legally. They will know the protocol for disposing of potentially hazardous waste and comply with government regulations to prevent environmental harm.
6. Seek Legal Advice
Purchasing property is likely the biggest investment most people will make in their lifetime. And, as with any major investment, it is important to protect yourself from any potential risks or pitfalls. One of the ways to protect yourself is to have a solid purchase agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the sale.
However, even with a well-drafted purchase agreement, there may be instances where the sellers violate the agreement’s provisions. For example, they may have left significant rubbish on the property, which you are now responsible for removing.
Depending on the amount of rubbish that needs to be cleaned and moved, it may be a good idea to seek legal redress for cleaning up the mess that the sellers should have dealt with in the first place. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s probably worth discussing the matter with the Solicitor who handled your conveyancing.
Conclusion
Finding rubbish left behind by sellers can be frustrating and stressful, but there are several things you can do to address the issue. By reviewing your purchase agreement and home inspection report, contacting the sellers, hiring a professional cleaning service, or seeking legal advice, you can protect your investment and ensure your new home is clean and safe.
If you are looking for the cheapest skip hire in Stoke-on-Trent, then look no further than Enviro Skip Hire! We offer unbeatable prices on skip hire, waste removal, and rubbish clearance services. With our commitment to customer service and competitive prices, we are your go-to source for all your waste management needs. Contact us today to get started and let us help you get rid of all your unwanted waste!
