You got the keys, you opened the front door, and there it is: a couch the seller didn’t want, half a garage of paint cans, a broken treadmill on the side yard, and a mattress leaning against the back wall. It happens to new homeowners across Southern California more often than you’d think.
This guide covers what the standard California purchase contract says about leftover items, what to do before and after closing, and how to clear the house quickly so you can actually move in.
Most home sales in California use the California Association of REALTORS® Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA). Its condition-of-property section says that all debris and personal property not included in the sale must be removed by Close of Escrow, or by the time possession is delivered to the buyer if that happens on a different date.
In plain terms: unless your contract says the seller can leave something (a fridge, a washer and dryer, a backyard shed), the seller is expected to take it with them or haul it off. Your contract and any counteroffers or addenda control, so pull them out and check what was listed as included in the sale. When in doubt, ask your agent. For legal questions about a specific dispute, talk to a California real estate attorney.
The final walk-through, usually done within a few days of closing, is your best chance to catch a junk problem while you still have leverage. California agents typically document it with a Verification of Property Condition form.
Sometimes you don’t find the problem until you get the keys, especially in a quick close or when the seller handed over possession after escrow. Here’s a practical order of operations:
Before you touch anything, photograph each room and each pile. If you plan to ask the seller to cover the cost, you’ll want proof of what was there and how much of it there was.
If you find something that looks valuable or personal, like family photos, documents, firearms, or jewelry, let your agent reach out to the seller’s agent first. It protects you if a dispute comes up later.
Many sellers will pay for the cleanup rather than argue about it. Get a written quote from a junk removal company so the number is specific and easy to forward. Whether you can make the seller pay depends on your contract and the facts, so this is where your agent, or an attorney for bigger amounts, comes in.
California treats paint, solvents, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and electronics as household hazardous waste or universal waste. They can’t go in your curbside bin. LA County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County all run household hazardous waste drop-off programs. Our guide to disposing of paint and household chemicals in Southern California walks through the options.
Many Southern California cities offer bulky item collection through your trash service. In the City of Los Angeles, LA Sanitation schedules free bulky item pickups through MyLA311. The catch for new homeowners: your trash account may not be set up yet, pickups are scheduled days or weeks out, and you have to drag everything to the curb yourself. See our comparison of bulky item pickup vs. junk removal.
Usable furniture and household goods can go to local charities. Check with your agent first that the seller has truly given up the items, then see our tips on donating furniture before junk removal.
If you’re trying to get flooring done, paint, or move in this week, a full-service crew is usually the fastest route. We lift everything from wherever it sits, whether that’s the garage, attic, or backyard, load it, sweep up, and sort what can be donated or recycled. You don’t need to move anything to the curb.
Junk removal is priced by volume, meaning how much space your items take up in the truck, plus any special handling for heavy or regulated items like concrete, mattresses, or appliances. A few leftover pieces cost far less than a full garage. Our article on truckload sizes explains how volume adds up. The easiest way to get a real number, especially one you can send to the seller’s agent, is a free on-site or photo quote.
If you’re on the other side of the deal, clearing the house before close of escrow avoids holdbacks, credits, and last-minute stress. Read our seller’s guide to junk removal before selling your house. Agents can also see how we work with real estate agents in Los Angeles.
A new house should feel like a fresh start, not someone else’s leftover mess. 911 Junk CA serves homeowners across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire with same-day and next-day appointments when available. Contact 911 Junk CA today for a free quote. Send us photos of what the previous owner left behind, and we’ll give you a clear price you can share with your agent.
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