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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be frustrated about this house move? (first time buyer)

81 replies

Gracie123 · 21/12/2010 19:11

OK, I sort of am. But it's sooooo annoying!!

We exchanged contracts over a week ago and were due to complete today. Our solicitor rang to confirm completion at 10am this morning and told us to go and pick the keys up from the estate agent. DH went, keys weren't there Sad

We were told it would be one hour tops.

Two and a half hours later, still no keys. Estate agent rang them and they guaranteed keys would be there by 2pm. When the keys still hadn't arrived at 3.45pm the estate agent rang again and they said that they were on their way in the van to drop them off (the property is about a 1.5 mile drive from the agent).

5.30pm still no keys, agent tells us that they close at 6pm but that the owners have agreed to have keys to them by then.

6.05pm agents have closed but assure us that the couple have agreed to drop the keys around to our place 'at some point tonight'.

The thing is, we are in a rental and tenancy isn't up yet, so it's not like we had to get in today, but the kids have been so excited and waiting all day and it's now 7pm and I've had to put them to bed.

I'm also concerned that with the snow predicted to get worse we won't be able to get what we need to done before we get snowed in and won't make it to family for christmas Sad

The bit that will probably convince everyone I am unreasonable is that they have an 18 month old and are due another baby in february, so I'm being a bit heartless trying to kick them out. Blush

I just wish they'd said they couldn't move until wednesday or even at 10am 'sorry, we're nowhere near ready, it's going to be a few hours' rather than 'we're on our way' every time we ring!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gracie123 · 22/12/2010 09:36

And apparently the husband was annoyed that the EA had woken them up calling at 9! Cheeky man!!

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/12/2010 09:36

Hmm I'd be round on the doorstep tbh. Ask the neighbours what they saw yesterday, doesn't sound like they had any intention of getting moved out in time. Put in a complaint about their solicitors too afterwards.

MorticiaAddams · 22/12/2010 09:38

Gracie go round now and measure up.

If they still need to get their stuff out then you might as well make some use of this morning to do something constructive.

Just knock on the door with your tape measure and TELL them what you are doing and then TELL them what time you will be back with your van to move in.

nomoreheels · 22/12/2010 09:38

Wow, they sound like nightmares.

I sympathise, I had problems with my house when I bought as I too was renting. We completed at 10 am and so we went straight to the EA to get keys. We didn't have a car so we took a bus 6 miles there.

We were made to wait because the couple were too cheap to hire a moving company & did it themselves with a little van. I was livid. DIY moves are only for when you're not in a rush or have a small place, not for a 3 bed house on the day of completion!

They knew we were renting & took advantage. Had to spend all day in a v dreary town centre with nothing better than a mcdonalds to hang out in. And I wasted a day of holiday.

Not only that, they left the house in a bit of a state - broken window, attic full of crap, and two full size recycling bins full of dirty nappies, slimfast cans & other slimy rubbish. Council refused to empty them on rubbish day as they were recycling bins, so I had to don gloves & empty/bag them up myself. Filled 6 large bin bags.

Some people eh? Anyhow, get tough & hope you get your keys asap.

starfishmummy · 22/12/2010 09:42

Hi Gracie - just got your post.

I think it was just to make sure that they actually left on time. I don't think she had any particular worries; but DH and I both worked in other parts of the country and didn't plan to get the keys until the next day so the solicitor arranged to get them on the exchange day to make sure the vendors had gone.

We did the changing locks because we only got two sets of keys - there was the vendor, her partner and an adult son, plus we knew they had had lodgers so we were suspicious that there were other sets lurking around.

I'm sure you will be fine. But do speak to your solicitor if you need to. Remember that the estate agent is actually "working" for the sellers not for you.

pumperspumpkin · 22/12/2010 09:43

What Morticia said - and don't take any crap, it is your house. (It will also give you a chance to see how far advanced the packing is.)

Don't mean to worry you further but do you know where they are moving to? They do have somewhere lined up don't they, they weren't just planning to stay at yours for a bit longer (when does your tenancy expire, and do they know this?).

AntPants1 · 22/12/2010 09:44

Police?

They need to get out NOW

Given their attitude I hope you are going to persue a claim against them

xx

Original poster
Gracie123 · 22/12/2010 09:50

Solicitor told us not to go around there, let the EA do the chasing. Apparently these situations have got nasty in the past and she says we'll just bill them for compensation. There's no need for any of us to be threatened or get into any arguments.

OP posts:
Porcelain · 22/12/2010 09:55

They clearly had no intention of giving the keys last night if they slept there. Their stuff should have been gone and they would have somewhere arranged in advance. They are really taking the piss. I had a seller being awkward to pin down for exchange (had moved but still had "some boxes") but once we had a date she did honour it.

starfishmummy · 22/12/2010 09:57

I can see your solicitors point about not putting yourselves in danger but this is your house now. The EA is being paid by the vendors and is technically working for them, not you. Your solicitor should be doing more.

TheBlessedVirginReality · 22/12/2010 10:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kitta · 22/12/2010 10:04

I would also be seriously thinking about charging them for the curtains if you have to pay full price.
I would also be thinking of charging them a day etc rent.
What the hell do they think they?re playing at, well actually I kind of know as we were put in similar position last time we moved.
After having to cancel the moving company once on the day of the move, with us at EA to pick up keys that we had been assured would be there by 11, we got a call from the movers who were at the house telling us that the sellers were still there sitting eating breakfast.

The movers felt very indignant on our behalf (had feed them bacon sandwiches from local café, so was much in favour), so they knocked and as soon as the door opened started to carry stuff in to the house, much to the disgust of the sellers who then tried to claim that they weren?t due to move till the following day. Apparently one of the lads called him a liar to his face and told him to fuck off before he called the police, we were still waiting at the EA at this point.

Sadly we missed all this. Xmas Grin

We eventually got the keys about 2 hours later having had to call the solicitors again.
When we did get in there was a letter left saying that they would be back for the front room curtains, (we had paid for the carpets and curtains which actually were very nice when we saw them, however they had ripped up the ?good? carpets and replaced with cheapy shit) the buggers even took the light bulbs.

I admit I sat and sobbed, I really could believe it, I had left our old house gleaming, hovver was last thing packed, had left a bottle of wine and a good luck card for the new owners with a pile of the local takeaway menus, a flask of hot water, teabags, sugar, milk in the fridge a couple of cheapy mugs I?d got in the £1 shop and some chocolate biscuits.
Didn?t expect the same but it was the pure cheek of the letter, and taking the light bulbs, still annoys me now.

MrsCratchit · 22/12/2010 10:05

Wow Gracie, you poor thing. I really hope everything gets sorted and you have a lovely Christmas in your new home.

I'd definity bill for compensation btw- people shouldn't get away with this stuff!

nomoreheels · 22/12/2010 10:10

Kitta - wish I'd bought my house from you! You sound lovely. Grin

pumperspumpkin · 22/12/2010 10:12

Blimey Kitta - next time you're selling let me know. We left (and were left in turn) a card and a bottle of wine - flask of hot water, mugs, etc etc - you sound like the dream sellers!

Kitta · 22/12/2010 10:13

I was then. I'm a hard bitch now Xmas Grin

Original poster
Gracie123 · 22/12/2010 11:06

We've got the keys! We're in! EA says we could pursue a claim, but we're going to leave it. They are already being billed by our solicitor and theirs for work sorting it out this morning (and knowing our solicitor it will be a hefty sum!)

The house is a bit of a state. It looks like they left in a hurry this morning. They've left a lot of stuff that they specified in the contract they were taking (light fittings, curtains etc...) do you think they might come back for them?

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/12/2010 11:08

Too late , I think you can assume they've abandoned them. At least you are in now though. Make sure you ahve a valid forwarding address in case of outstanding bills etc and ensure all the meters are read now(take dated digital photos yourself if needs be).

MorticiaAddams · 22/12/2010 11:13

That's brilliant news Gracie.

When we moved into our last house we boxed everything they'd left up and said they had to collect it within two weeks or we'd get rid of it.

Have a fantastic Christmas in your new home. Xmas Smile

Original poster
Gracie123 · 22/12/2010 11:14

Wow Kitta! I wish i'd bought from you!
We've been left piles of trash!

OP posts:
pumperspumpkin · 22/12/2010 11:16

Congratulations on your new home. You're in now, that's the most important thing.

NonnoMum · 22/12/2010 11:23

Glad you are in.

YOu have been treated outrageously by the vendors, the EA and even your solicitor.

DO pursue it with the EA, even if you don't want compensation - just let them know about their shoddy service (not handing over the keys).

If you bought a dress in a shop and no one let you have it for 24 hours, you would kick up a stink, wouldn't you? Just think how much you have spent on your house.

Adn phone a locksmith NOW

thefurryone · 22/12/2010 11:26

Glad you're now in. They were being totally unreasonable if it had been me buying their house I'd have been round there yesterday afternoon demanding the keys and for them to leave and if they hadn't left I'd have called the police.

Good that they left the curtains even if they are hideous then at least you can hold off buying until you find some you like at a reasonable cost.

SantaIsAnAnagramOfSatan · 22/12/2010 11:36

just keep it all. my guy left stuff and the solicitor said it was mine or i could trash it. in reality i gave him 24 hrs to pick it up - he had a collection of gross boys mags he didn't want to lose so he turned up Hmm

i kept the stepladder he left as compensation.

usernamechanged345 · 22/12/2010 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.