1: Dealing with a mess

Too often I have clients call me to say that when they entered their new dream home they have found a large mess. I have heard of everything being left from food in the fridge to (sadly) cats and dogs. How can this be addressed.

Unfortunately there's not a perfect answer.

To start, the agreement should contain a warranty from the Seller that the property will be left in a clean "broom-swept" condition. Most people live by the deals they make and will abide by this promise.

But what if they don't?

Unfortunately, your remedy would be to do the clean up work yourself and charge back the costs incurred to the Seller. If the Seller doesn't pay voluntarily, then you will be left with a claim to the Small Claims Court. For the kind of money involved, a Small Claims action will rarely be a cost-effective or satisfactory route to take for the Purchaser.

This creates a dilemma for the now agitated Purchaser. The easiest way to have the mess removed is to contact a company that removes junk. Like 1800-Got Junk This option is also the most expensive.

The other option is to remove the junk and dispose of it yourself. This is by far the cheaper option but also requires the most effort.

Therein lies the dilemma. If you can bet that reimbursement is going to be difficult to get from the Seller, do you take the cheaper option that requires the most work or do you take the easiest option that also proves to be the most expensive?

It is standard practice that Tammy puts a clean broom swept condition in all of her offers. Call or email Tammy to help you with the Buying process.

Jason A. Self, B.A. (Hons), L.L.B.

Stutz & Associates

269 Broadway

Orangeville, ON, L9W 1K8

Tel: 519-941-7500

Fax: 519-941-8381

email: jself@wstutzlaw.com

web: www.wstutzlaw.com