Bought a new house. Does seller need to keep the yard in shape until we close?

Question

We bought the house in early May. The yard was neatly mowed and looked great. We are closing on the house June 15. Well My husband and I went for a drive and drove past our new house and the grass was 6 feet tall!! Do we have full responability of the yard even though we havent closed on the house yet?

Answer 1

It is their responsibility to have the upkeep on all things until the deal is signed and delivered. Not yours until the money is in the other hand.
If you made a down payment on it, it still does not count since you can always back out of the deal before the deadline.
I would counter offer and ask for more being taken off of price for upkeep cost out of pocket expenses.
Might call the city ordinance if in the city limits. The city will probably mow it then charge the homeowner at that time of mowing before you move in. Get em! Hope this helps out!

Answer 2

Technically speaking, it is still THEIR HOUSE until the day you close, so tending to the yard is still their responsibility, not yours - yet.

Here is where you can be a softee and let them get away with it, or hold their feet to the fire at the closing and deduct money from their final check for the cost of mowing, etc.

This is difficult to do because the closing agents come to closing with the checks all made out and everybody is expecting to receive their check and you will be the bad guy if you hold them up for the cost of mowing.

It is best to negotiate directly with the seller at this point and try to arrange to have the place mowed on the day you close or the day before and split the costs between the two or you, or make them do if you can.

Answer 3

Not much you can do but I would advise your Realtor that you want a walk-through earlier in the day before closing. Tell the Realtor that since they have let the yard go so badly, you have to wonder about the rest of the house. Don't just threaten it, do it. If you wait until after closing to go inside, you may find more junk than you can imagine laying there for you to clean up.

Answer 4

This is a difficult position for you and for your Realtor. They can ask, but the seller has no obligation to maintain anything, except the working condition of appliances etc. I assume you will do a "walk thru" prior to closing? Test everything, toilets, water in kitchen, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, even the windows.

Answer 5

We did the same kind of time frame....and they totally stopped watering. However, this year is our first spring/summer in the house and we've been surprised by all the amazing perennials and roses they almost let die! We did have to deal with crappy yard last year but it came back.

Answer 6

Not unless it's specificly in your contract. You should have a final walk through though. It might be a good time to bring up last minute issues like dead plants or lawn. Try to get money for it.

Answer 7

Until you own the home it is up to th owner to maintain the property, but I would contact either your lawyer or estate agent.
If you have to pay money to get it tidied, it should come off the price.

Answer 8

I don't think that they can be made to be liable for it, but you can put it in your closing agreement as one of those things that must be fulfilled before you buy the house.

Answer 9

when we bought our house the owners stopped watering the lawn so it was brown when we finally closed. my hubby was so pissed.

suck it up and take care of it when you move in. unless you put it in the contract your stuck.

Answer 10

Unfortunatly they do not! And probably won't. It's your problem now, I know, It sucks! If it looked great before, it will again when you move in and clean it up! Best of luck in your new home!