There is nothing more irritating than getting the keys to a new home and discovering the problems left by the previous occupant.
Whether it be a rental or a home you have bought, the issues are inevitable. While everything was swept under the rug (perhaps literally) when you viewed the property, now all the damage and issues are peeled back to be revealed. And it’s now your problem and you can’t get to your own home improvement plans until it’s resolved.
There are some things that we just have to tolerate during this process. It might be cleaning the house up to your exacting standards, or fixing the floor that furniture conveniently covered during viewings.
What is less easy to deal with is rubbish left behind. It shouldn’t, but it can and does happen. Perhaps there is a legitimate reason for it – they intended to remove it and forgot, perhaps? – but most likely, they’ve just left it behind because it was easier for them. It’s not for you of course; you are now responsible for a huge amount of mess cluttering up your new home – so what can you do about it?
No. 1 – Try And Contact The Previous Occupants
It’s really not fair for previous occupants to leave rubbish behind for you to deal with. While it’s difficult to get in touch with previous renters, you might have more luck if you bought your home. If possible – and perhaps going through your estate agent – contact them and ask for an explanation. Emphasize the fact that, as it’s not your rubbish, you don’t want to deal with it in case it contains something toxic.
If they legitimately meant to remove it and forgot, this could be the prompting they need to fix the problem. If, however, they didn’t think that far ahead, then you might get the cold shoulder and need to come up with another solution.
No. 2 – Just Get Rid Of It
If you don’t want the hassle and just want to start making your home feel like a home, then you could always just arrange for it to be removed. If you’re comfortable going through it, then you could try separating true garbage from items that might be recyclable – doing your bit for the planet! If speed is of the essence, then same-day rubbish removal might be your best option. If you don’t know the origin of the mess and don’t want to pick through it, then professionals are going to be better equipped to cope with the disposal.
No. 3 – Make Use Of It
To an extent, this depends on what exactly you have been left to deal with. If it’s just bags of rubbish, then you might be able to contact the local authority to remove it along with the usual collections. Then you don’t have to touch it; you just need to be patient enough to wait for the next collection.
If, however, it’s not one big pile of rubbish but general detritus through the house and garden, then you might want to evaluate it for usefulness. After all, one person’s trash is treasure for another, so there might be something of value to you. Even leftover food scraps can be composted, if you’re willing to sort through things to find what works for you.
Milo Senalle
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