Completing a sale on a house is an exciting milestone but for one couple, getting the keys to their new home proved to be a confusing experience.
Moving is a stressful, lengthy process, especially when buying a property as there’s all manner of enquiries to be made like searches and surveys, plus the hassle of mortgage applications and more. It’s - usually - all worth it once you’re handed the keys to your new abode and can begin making it a home.
Except for one couple who, after stepping inside their new home, found the previous owners had left absolutely everything behind. They’d left all their furniture, knickknacks, a kitchen full of food, and even something in the oven.
The new owners were told the sellers had “moved abroad”. Sharing the odd situation on Reddit, they said they completed on Friday and got a terrible shock when they got to their new house.
They explained: “The sellers have left everything. Looks like they just packed a suitcase and left. Been told they've moved abroad. All their clothes and crockery and furniture. Family pictures on the wall. Kitchen full of food including cooked rice in the oven.”
They’ve started “packing it all into bin bags” but wondered how long they may have to wait until they are permitted to “get rid of it”. They continued: “I'm so confused. I think it's a case of them thinking 'f*** this' and just getting on the plane. Either that or they didn't realise completion means completion and their solicitors told them they had an hour to leave or something.”
In an update, they confirmed they’d yet to hear anything from the sellers’ solicitors yet but a family member had gotten in touch to shed some alarming light on the situation. The new homeowners added: “A family member of the sellers has been in touch asking if they can collect some belongings and also to give back their key which they still have. Apparently, the sellers left without telling the family member.
“I told them we need permission from the sellers before we can give anything, they said they would try to contact them. Found a bag in a cupboard taped up with the word 'quarantine' on the tape. Haven't opened it yet. I'm 99% sure it's the right house…”
Fellow Reddit users flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. Flabbergasted, one person asked: “Who the f*** leaves half-cooked food and family pictures, OP are you sure there aren't still people living in this house?”
Another said: “Omg this is one of those stories where the real owner has gone on holiday and a scammer has sold the house from under them. I've read about this happening”, to which, someone else replied: “As a conveyancer I can confirm this happens. We’ve been educated on cases as they’ve happened. Scary stuff.
“Be very careful because that’s pretty suspect, though people do leave properties in a state sometimes. Do you know if the sellers had a mortgage on the property? If they didn’t I’d be a little more concerned about a fraudulent sale”.
Another advised: “You've become an ‘Involuntary Bailee’. Would be worth reading up on this as you do have legal obligations…” While someone else suggested everyone sign up to HM Land Registry's free Property Alert service to help protect their property from fraud.