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AIBU?

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Original poster

About the buyers from hell

92 replies

bimbabirba · 04/07/2013 17:23

Buyers are requesting to come in with two painters/decorators and I'm freaking out. We've exchanged but they've proven such a nightmare from day one that I'm worried that letting them in again may cause further problems or questions or God knows what. Plus I don't fancy tidying up again when I'm busy packing and it hurts to think i'll be hearing about all the changes they're going to do to what still feels like my house.
WIBU to not let them in? I know that legally I can do so but I fear the repercussions. They are incredibly rude and demanding people who have managed to piss everyone off, including their own solicitor who has described them as "control freaks". Unfortunately they have my email address.

OP posts:
Fairenuff · 04/07/2013 17:59

You can ask the passport office to send them recorded delivery so that they have to be signed for. It will cost a small amount but will provide proof that they were received.

When are you due to complete? The passport office were really quick with my son's renewal.

Original poster
bimbabirba · 04/07/2013 18:16

I want to do redirection but I heard it's not always reliable so I thought my best bet is to wait till the last minute. Completion on 23rd

OP posts:
Cravey · 04/07/2013 18:25

Nearly as rude as our sellers who when we had the keys asked if we minded if they stayed another night. Erm yes we bloody do. Say no .

EagleRiderDirk · 04/07/2013 18:33

bimbabirba I've used redirection loads. I've very rarely had problems. The only big one I've had was when I split with xh and they occassionally redirected his mail to me and visa versa. But no real problems with different surnames. I know some people who have used the keepsafe service though with no problems.

dippymother · 04/07/2013 18:33

Although it is costly to pull out of a purchase after exchange, it is still a risk (think loss of job, bereavement etc).

My buyer wanted to get Sky TV and broadband installed before completion. I guess he didn't realise that if he did that, my Sky TV and broadband service would be disconnected before we'd moved out. I only found out about this when my broadband provider emailed me to confirm my service was being disconnected in a few days time, following "a request" from another provider.

Your problem is obviously different, but I still would not expect any tradesmen visiting or work to be started until the house was officially theirs, just in case things go pear shaped (and I reallly hope they won't!).

trackies · 04/07/2013 18:37

i've said no to this before. I had a buyer who wanted 2 weeks between exchange and completion. I had no place to go and had to find rental accomodation and he would not give me any more than two weeks. So i said i can't have his carpenter visit as i'm searching for rental accomodation in different part of country. So the agent asked if they could have a key, so i refused. They had to put up with it or lose deposit. So they put up with it

SarahAndFuck · 04/07/2013 18:45

If you let them in to decorate and then something gets damaged or scratched in the move they will be all over you like a rash demanding money back to compensate and put it right.

Absolutely do not let them into the house.

The postal redirection takes about a week to set up but I think you can do it in advance and activate it once you have a firm completion date. Better to do that than rely on their goodwill.

WeAreEternal · 04/07/2013 18:59

Pretend you haven't received their email, ignore calls and texts for however long you can, then send the usual "I'm so sorry for the delayed reply, I've just been so busy with packing and sorting things out."
If she hasnt suggested a day just say "things are pretty hectic around here at the moment, when were you thinking?"
then say/ or if they have already suggested a day say "I'm sorry but that day is not good for us, we have family visiting, is there another time you would like to arrange for" then make a similar excuse for that day, leaving a couple of days between replies, drag it out until completion.

I have been through this many times, and I have found that it's always better to keep them happy without letting them take the piss.

merrymouse · 04/07/2013 19:28

Politely say no, house is in upheaval as you are packing and getting it ready for handover.

Only reason to have people in to give quotes is if you are deciding whether to buy house, e.g is it possible to put in an extra bathroom/how much cost of upgrading windows.

They have exchanged so this is no longer an issue. They can do what they like when they own the house.

In fact you don't really have to give a reason. Just say no, it's not convenient.

IfIonlyhadsomesleep · 04/07/2013 19:38

No way! As someone said up thread, if they'd been lovely you might have accommodated them. All that is required now is a polite "I'm sorry, but that won't be convenient for us" email if you feel up to it. Otherwise refer it to the estate agent or solicitor. They are being cheeky and haven't earnt the right to.

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 04/07/2013 19:47

Agree you should just say no. Lie if it makes it easier. Say you have people staying or similar do it will not be convenient. You are not obliged to assist them.

Original poster
bimbabirba · 04/07/2013 21:44

Thank you guys, you've given me confidence!

OP posts:
Devora · 04/07/2013 21:48

I don't think there's anything wrong with buyers asking if they can visit the house to measure up/get quotes (I've done this myself, but then I was the buyer from heaven rather than hell Smile). On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with you saying no if you don't feel uncomfortable with it or if it's inconvenient.

These people will be out of your life very soon. Indulge yourself!

MyDarlingClementine · 04/07/2013 22:33

Look on this as a really good opportunity to stand up for yourself and think how free and liberated and strong you will feel afterwards.

they are bullies, stand up to them.

Jan49 · 05/07/2013 00:08

You could forward their email to your solicitor and tell him/her you do not want them to come round or do any work before completion, then let the solicitor contact the buyers. Then block the buyers' email address.

I've said no several times to buyers who wanted to get estimates or do work or show relatives round between exchange and completion.

If you have a completion date and a new address, you could set up the redirection (it takes about a week to start) from just before completion. But I think some items which raise security issues are not redirected (maybe bank cards?) and Royal Mail will return them to the sender and let the sender know that post to this person is not being delivered to the address shown.

GiveItYourBestShot · 05/07/2013 00:21

Say no. ExH compromised with our biyer - who then let himself in to celebrate Pancake Day. Using my plates and pots. And not washing them up. I'm still pissed off!

lessonsintightropes · 05/07/2013 00:24

Totally unreasonable of them! We had it the other way around - offered full asking price after first viewing - but were totally arsey about a second viewing. We'd no intention of pulling out (had exchanged), just wanted to think about furniture etc. This was in London where the housing market is nuts. Wouldn't have dreamed of asking for tradesmen to have access for quotes, completely out of order. I like PP suggestions about forwarding to the agent and asking them to politely tell them to piss off on your behalf.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 05/07/2013 01:53

Pancake day? WTAF

TweedWasSoLastYear · 05/07/2013 07:10

Just ignore the email.
This might be the thin end of a wedge , it could be carpet fitters and plasterers next.
The buyers probably want your house repainted as soon as possible after they move in , whilst the rooms are almost empty . They might even want the house carpeted and painted before they fully move in , staying a week at perents / hotel.

remember when packing do not put all your books in 1 big box, it very quickly becomes very heavy, simply add a duvet or lampshade or a wok to the top, and be ruthless ...throw away anything you havent touched in the last 2 years.

wouldliketobethere · 05/07/2013 07:40

Our passports were delivered by some weird delivery service from what I can recall, not by the post office's normal service. I cant remember why. So you might want to keep them onside.

hevak · 05/07/2013 07:42

If your estate agent gave your email address to the buyer without your consent then they have broken the data protection act. It might be worth pointing that out to them Hmm

Ask the buyer to stop contacting you directly and to go through the estate agent - after all, that's what you're paying the estate agent for!

unobtanium · 05/07/2013 07:43

Yes, get your mail forwarded and put a stop to this silliness from them!

No painters, no decorators until you have completed.

Fairenuff · 05/07/2013 08:16

The passport office check your postcode. If you live in an area where there is a high risk of loss (meaning theft I suppose) in the royal mail, they will courier the passport to you. If not, they will send it by regular first class post.

You can speak to them and tell them the date that you are due to complete. They were very helpful and polite when I had to speak to them twice last month.

GiveItYourBestShot · 05/07/2013 08:29

Ignore and Pretend you didn't get the email if they ask? They are unreliable things, after all...

ZiaMaria · 05/07/2013 08:35

I wouldn't let them in. Until the sale completes, it is your house and your house only. As you have exchanged, they have to complete or be in a world of trouble (which as control freaks they will want to avoid).

As for the passports. They will probably have arrived by the time that you complete - my daughters passport took less than 3 weeks when I applied earlier in the year. If not - do redirection as Royal Mail usually get it right.

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