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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Potential CF house buying/moving

73 replies

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 04/04/2019 17:40

Currently in the midst of trying to move house. House went on the market start of the year. We had a fair amount of interest and accepted an offer relatively quickly having found a house we were really happy with and had an offer accepted to buy. We accepted an offer lower than asking price on ours because we wanted to be in a position where we had sold for putting forward an offer to buy next house. Fine our decision and still left us with enough to buy next house. So far so good and our buyer got a bit of a bargain in the process. Buyer then comes around a fair amount measuring up etc and then makes a strange claim about her searches throwing up something strange. So I get out the searches we have paid for when we bought current house to show hers are incorrect. She then asks me for a copy of the homebuyer report that we paid for when we bought the house. I wasn’t happy about it but then I thought needed to keep her sweet. So again gets a bargain as she’s not had to pay out £300 for mid level survey. All solicitors moving towards a completion date asap and as far as I was aware we were good to go at the end of the month.

Then we get an email to say our buyer that they can’t move for another 13 weeks due to them being in rented accommodation and they can’t afford to pay for both the rent and the mortgage. Shit situation for them but not my fault. My sellers are then really cross and say they won’t wait that long and are threatening to pull out. I ask buyers if they can move any quicker and they said no. We don’t want to loose our next house it took ages to find one that meets all our requirements and need to move ASAP.

Buyer comes back to me to say would we be prepared to pay them £800 to cover a months rent so they wouldn’t be as out of pocket!! I’m really pissed off. I feel like they have have got me over a barrel because If I say no the whole thing will collapse. It’s a case of who had the biggest nerve. If I stand firm and threaten it will collapse they might just suck up the rent and mortgage but then my sellers might pull out putting us back to square one and us loosing all the money we have already spent on searches etc.

To compound the issue we are due to start IVF treatment soon and I just don’t need this stress. We thought we would be moved before treatment starts.

AIBU in thinking buyers are cheeky fucker for asking us to pay their rent when we have already be more than accommodating?

AIBU in backing down and agreeing to it to keep our dream house?

AIBU to be pissed off about the whole situation?

Do I need to just stop moaning?!

OP posts:

RandomMess · 04/04/2019 18:36

What is the term when you sell your house to the person that is ready to exchange first? There is a proper name for it...

I would strongly consider going back on the market with that condition attached so they can proceed (and have a head start) but shows that you will not be messed around further.

DontCallMeShitley · 04/04/2019 18:36

Put it back on the market now, you may have found your dream house but there will be another one if the sellers won't wait. There have been many similar threads on here where people have lost their dream house, and then found one they liked even more. Don't let the buyer get away with it.

Alsohuman · 04/04/2019 18:37

Prawns in the curtain hems? Gorgonzola under the floorboards?

RandomMess · 04/04/2019 18:37

Called "contract race"

Farmerswifey12 · 04/04/2019 18:38

Can't you suggest to you solicitor what a previous poster suggested, that it will be added on to the price of the house? I think that's a great idea

woodhill · 04/04/2019 18:39

Yes, don't let them get away with this. That's how some people do well financially in property imo as it at someone else's expense and in a dishonest fashion. Bet they are lying about rent.

Alsohuman · 04/04/2019 18:39

Just thought - how about passing the cost, or some of it, on to your seller, given that they’re inflexible on dates?

RandomMess · 04/04/2019 18:40

There could be cash buyers out there. Go to all local estate agents and ask if they may know of any...

longearedbat · 04/04/2019 18:43

I don't understand - their tenancy doesn't end for 13 weeks, yet they want you to pay one month's rent? Wouldn't they have to pay until the end of their tenancy, i,e, 3 months? I am asking genuinely - it's many years since I rented and the rules are different these days.
Having said that, I would tell them to do one. I can't stand buyers who mess about, and ones who do don't usually stick to messing about with one thing. If you sort this with them, you can bet there will be some other problem or mishap cropping up. If they really want the house they will find the money themselves, although I quite like one pps idea of giving them the money but adding the amount to your sale price, so it is almost a loan. Be strong and front them out. When I have really wanted a property I have always tried not to be awkward in any way so I don't make the seller's think I'm some kind of flake!

pilates · 04/04/2019 18:47

I would reluctantly offer a contribution of £400 on the understanding exchange happens ASAP with completion for ? Don’t add the figure on to the purchase price as it may affect your mortgage offer.

Xyzzzzz · 04/04/2019 18:52

Nah they’d just have to get a new mortgage offer it’s just reprinted with the new price...it’s not a big deal for the seller it’s the buyers who would have the issue if any. Which would make the buyer think twice and realise they’re being CFs

QuickThinkOfAName · 04/04/2019 18:53

What a horrid situation
Unfortunately the phrase give an inch and they’ll take a mile Springs to mind. If you do this it won’t be the last time they pull a stunt like this and then you’ll be even further down the line.

I’d see what the EA says about other potential buyers. They’ll know who’s on their books as cash buyers/in a good position etc. Sorry you’re going through this stress

elessar · 04/04/2019 18:53

Surely though it's not in your interest for your sellers to pull out either - it will also take them longer to find another buyer so they're in the same position as you.

This couple want you to cover 1 month of rent, but they have 13 weeks left on their tenancy. If your sellers have said they won't want to wait past May then why not compromise and set completion date for 1 month later on - end of May?

Then you haven't had to pay your buyers, but net effect they still save one month of paying both rent and mortgage. Surely your sellers would appreciate that is a reasonable compromise and one which saves both of you having to go through the hassle of pulling out and putting both houses on the market?

In truth I feel slightly sorry for your buyers - 3 months of covering rent & a mortgage would be tough for a lot of people. I can't see what they've done so wrong actually, most people offer under the asking price (at least as a starting point) and it's no skin off your nose to show copies of your homebuyers report really, it hasn't cost you any extra and if they paid more to have their own it might have come back with different red flags they could have used to negotiate price further.

The only thing I think is cheeky is asking you to pay their rent, and personally I wouldn't do that but I would try and compromise on the completion date.

Momzilla82 · 04/04/2019 18:54

It's firm no from me. I bet their landlord would agree to release them earlier from the contract if given vacant possession beforehand and they facilitate viewings. I am guessing they want to do work or a phased move in from rental. Not your circus not your monkeys.

Princessmushroom · 04/04/2019 18:54

How on earth have they got this far before realising they’ve still got 13 weeks tenancy?

We are buying a house this year and in our savings I have budgeted one month’s extra rent as part of our moving costs

Peterpiperpickedwrong · 04/04/2019 18:58

Too late to take up carpets now as fixtures and fittings form has gone in but every other possible item?!

Do it.
You haven’t got a rug hiding an iron burn have you
Seriously I understand your anger and frustration. Your solicitor saying it will only be received on completion is excellent. Can solicitor also put in that there will be no further reduction on the agreed price? I know someone who suffered CF buyer who refused to transfer £2,000 at the last minute when the lorry was packed and they were just waiting for confirmation of funds!
Some of these may may make you laugh and cheer you up a bit. Good luck with IVF

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3482271-most-random-find-in-a-new-house

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3515040-what-is-the-cheekiest-thing-you-have-taken-when-moving-house

Whereisthegin1978 · 04/04/2019 19:00

House buying brings out the worst in people. Call their bluff - they are really cheeky & really should have budgeted for their rent / house sale clashing.
Make sure you point out how reasonable you’ve been in letting them see your home buying report etc & then try and amend all the items you said you’d leave, if anything. Conservatory blinds cost a fair amount if you have them - say you now need them,

viques · 04/04/2019 19:00

I think they are trying it on, if they are renting they won't want to find and pay for a short term let while they are looking for another house, plus pay for surveys, searches moving costs x2 etc. It would be generous to offer to meet them halfway to keep the chain moving , but as your solicitor advises don't pay a penny until completion.

And don't leave them anything at all useful in the house, not even a half roll of toilet paper..........

RandomMess · 04/04/2019 19:01

Guess you won't be cleaning it the last week or so you live there

WombatStewForTea · 04/04/2019 19:02

Surely though it's not in your interest for your sellers to pull out either - it will also take them longer to find another buyer so they're in the same position as you

This is exactly what I was thinking. The sellers of your dream house will still have to wait for a new buyer and all the waiting that comes with it. A compromise of meeting in the middle for all could work.

Original poster

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 04/04/2019 19:09

Thanks all.

Sellers are a bit like we don’t have to move...they are down sizing and it’s no massive shakes to them apart from lost money. Hence why they can be stubborn.

For us we are commuting a lin way for work currently and want to get moved to cut down on that and get in before ivf which is why we don’t want to delay. Although we’ve done the commute for a while it’s the added stress of that and ivf. If we push back until May it puts right in middle of egg transfer and I don’t want to move house with that going on.

They’ve asked for one month rent to ‘ease’ the financial strain for them so she can take over the mortgage at the agreed time (April)

It’s a good point about dropping the price I didn’t think about that. Will contact solicitors tomorrow and ensure that’s in the agreement.

How much can I take with me when I’ve agree some things will be staying in fixtures and fitting (you know when they were actually being reasonable! )

OP posts:

Mammajay · 04/04/2019 19:10

Most tenancies are ast and require two months notice, not 13 weeks.

SapatSea · 04/04/2019 19:15

They are CF's, if they are on an AST they only ave to give one months notice (are they locked into a contract 3 months away?). I would be questioning if they actually have a firm mortgage offer and not just an offer in principle.
To get a mortgage they would need to get a proper survey done, not just use your old one.

Call their bluff, tell them you are putting the house back on the market and will take another offer if they can move quicker as you can't lose the house you are going on to but they can leave their offer on their table and get their act together.

Or... cut the half rent deal but with the proviso of an early exchange so they are on the hook for the 10 percent deposit and with an agreement for no price cutting before completion.

RandomMess · 04/04/2019 19:17

Anything on the FF list has to stay I'm afraid. Any deliberate damage rather than unnoticed wear and tear could land you in legal trouble too.

Friends accidentally took a freezer with them that they had meant to exclude from list so they just dropped it back a few days later, very inconvenient for the buyers...

OriginalGeordie · 04/04/2019 19:42

That’s awful OP, I’m inclined to think that if you give in to them on this, then there will be other things they’ll have a try with.

I would have fun with the fixtures and fittings! You had to take a door off to get furniture out and forgot to put it back on, it and the fittings are still there. Same with curtain poles, take them down so they have to put them back up again. Remove all the lightbulbs so they have to put them back in again! Then again I’m a vindictive cow who hates greedy CF’ers with an absolute passion!

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