I’ve sold my place and will be moving out of the province. I’m not taking most of my furniture with me. Can I leave it for the new owners?

It’s common to think that because we like our things, other people will, too. In fact, sometimes buyers negotiate to include specific pieces in a purchase.

However, this is often not the case. Despite some people’s good intentions in leaving items for new owners, abandoned furniture is a frequent cause of complaints to real estate salespeople. In most real estate transactions, the expectation is that the new owner takes possession of the vacant property in broom-swept condition on closing day.

In those exceptions where the buyer and seller agree to have items included in a transaction, it should be noted in the purchase agreement — for instance, furniture built for a unique space. Or, when a home will be demolished, it is sometimes acceptable for sellers to leave unwanted items that will be disposed of as the existing structure is dismantled. Such exceptions should be negotiated and documented well in advance of the transaction closing date.

If you have items in exceptional condition that were not included in the sale, and that you think the buyer might want (furniture, electronics, a lawnmower, snowblower or curtains), ask your salesperson to offer them to the buyer. If they accept, your salesperson can have the purchase agreement amended to reflect the new inclusions and their agreed-upon price, or have the items documented in a separate written agreement.