Property purchase inventory

Thanks for all the good advice and I think you are right Shiva. We really like the property so no point getting ourselves stressed out. We just need to move on now and at least we have an inventory now so we know what is being left.

Scams regarding house contents are common. When we bought our house there was a list of what the seller was leaving, the solicitor assessed the value of this and deducted from property selling price. Everything went smoothly. However, we do know of people not as fortunate, one couple agreed to buy a property plus contents, all inventory itemised, only to find on moving in that all had vanished and been replaced by the cheapest things imaginable. Nothing could be done about it as the seller left as per inventory eg curtains, not the beautiful ones they had seen during viewing but old, ill fitting curtains with holes in them. Another couple came down to sign for their property, collect keys and move in. Arriving a couple of days early they drove round to admire the property to find the seller moving contents, which were included in price, into a van. Telling the seller to take things back in or he would knock 25% off price, he rang his solicitor who got onto the seller’s legal representative and the goods were quickly reinstated.

Be warned, these scams are not isolated instances but quite common. As near completion as possible go round with your copy of the itemised inventory, go through everything with the seller. Make sure electrical items work, if bed linen is included make sure it is appropriate for the beds and fit for use, likewise if cutlery and crockery says ‘for 12 people’ check.

Any decent agency should have an inventory that states whatever furniture is being left must correspond with the photos taken at the time of the listing. This then must be signed. If not then it is just hearsay. Everything needs to be signed and in a contract. If not, well you know? The house is the important thing as Shiva says. I'm not sure it's a common scam though, I'd imagine it happens from time to time but this isn't the fault of the agent surely? It's the vendor that's pulling a fast one. I'm sure the poor agent is as shocked as you because they would of taken the vendors word as good. Anyway, good luck and happy furniture shopping.