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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

House seller acting weird?

37 replies

bullywee · 07/10/2019 06:29

We've bought a new house and we are moving into it Feb 1st. Ages away to suit the seller, but tbh didn't make a massive difference to us as we loved the house and were in the fortunate position of not being in a chain.

I contacted the seller and asked them if I could visit the property for 30 mins sometime in December to measure a few things (breadth of windows and window drop for curtains), front door to ensure suite gets into the house, kitchen to ensure our appliances fit in the fitted kitchen, that type of thing. Said she could be there, wasn't looking for unsupervised access.

Seller says no.

Whilst I totally understand it is her property until February, I find this a little odd. I've bought and sold property before, as have family and friends, and no-one has ever had a problem with allowing this to happen. Indeed, I thought it was normal practice and my solicitor too found it odd but did say that some people are a little awkward.

I am now concerned that there is some type of issue that the sellers don't want us to see?

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

StartingAgainID · 07/10/2019 06:31

No idea. But - Could you reply asking her when would be convenient? Maybe she'd be more open to that. It's certainly a request I'd find more difficult to justify refusing.

DeathStare · 07/10/2019 06:33

Maybe the problem is it being the run up to Christmas?

Could you try asking them if another date would suit or if it's a flat-out no? If it's a flat-out no, would they be willing to measure? Or to let the estate agent measure?

coconuttelegraph · 07/10/2019 06:39

When you say a new house do you mean an actual new house? Why is someone living in a new house, can the builders give you the measurements?

k1233 · 07/10/2019 06:40

What difference will taking measurements make? Your stuff fits or it doesn't. If you're that concerned maybe the seller could give you the measurements.

DeathStare · 07/10/2019 06:44

What difference will taking measurements make? Your stuff fits or it doesn't

Quite a big difference I'd have thought. If the stuff doesn't fit OP will need to get rid of her stuff and get new stuff. I'd assume she wants to do that ahead of time rather than getting to moving day and having a couch on the front lawn that won't go through the door, and no washing machine for a week until she gets a new one as the old one won't fit. She will also need to factor in the cost.

Rivergreen · 07/10/2019 06:45

With completion that far away, I would definitely be insisting on seeing it before completion. They could have done anything to it!

I'd be going back to my solicitor to insist that you must see it again close to exchange. How much money have you spent so far? If you've only just started the process, you could refuse to go any further with the sale until they agree a date.

augustusglupe · 07/10/2019 06:52

It’s because it’s December I imagine. I would ask again, but understand that it’s up to the seller to decide when it’s convenient for you to pop round.

chinupchickeny · 07/10/2019 06:55

That would be a deal breaker for me. I'd be telling them I'd be pulling out of the sale unless this was permitted.

BigRedBoat · 07/10/2019 06:56

Make sure you do a viewing before exchange, with it being such a long time since your initial viewing things could have been damaged and once you've exchanged you'd be stuck.

Beautiful3 · 07/10/2019 06:58

Ask when is a good time to do this

ChasingRainbows19 · 07/10/2019 07:13

Also it's a long time before now and February I would want another visit before exchange to get the property was in the same condition etc.
I'd just ask is there a convenient time for the seller?

shockthemonkey · 07/10/2019 07:17

That's off. You gave her a huge open window of all of December and she says a flat no?

I would start getting a little heavy with her/them. As suggested above.

sheshootssheimplores · 07/10/2019 07:19

Why not ask her to measure some things for you if she’s not comfortable with you going over there? I don’t think you are being unreasonable at all as we popped back to the house before the contracts were exchanged to measure up and the seller wasn’t bothered.

LL83 · 07/10/2019 07:19

Why the long date? Does the seller want to sell? If they are leaving because they have to then maybe they are just having a hard time with it all.

I would get a viewing before completing just in case though (but I wouldn't bring a tape measure as they have already said no)

NoCauseRebel · 07/10/2019 07:22

Would be a dealbreaker for me too.

It’s normal to allow purchasers access to be able to measure etc, and if it’s a flat out refusal I’d be inclined to think that something was off.

BTW why do they have to wait until February? TBH that would be something which would make me inclined to look elsewhere anyway esp as they are being obstructive.

I would ask once more when would be a convenient time and if they say that it wouldn’t then I’d pull out. Wouldn’t threaten to or anything, would just pull out. There’ll be other houses and tbh you’re likely to find one you can move into before February at this stage.

MintyMabel · 07/10/2019 07:28

BTW why do they have to wait until February? TBH that would be something which would make me inclined to look elsewhere anyway esp as they are being obstructive.

Why? If it suits everyone, what’s the problem? We sold in May with a move in date of end of September. We were buying a new build and it wouldn’t be ready until then, but you are still required to conclude the deal. It suited the buyer perfectly too. It isn’t an unusual thing to do at all.

NoCauseRebel · 07/10/2019 07:31

No it’s not necessarily unusual but given the sellers are being difficult here it gives plenty of time for the OP to look for somewhere else, so by having a long wait time and being obstructive might potentially go against the sellers.

ChickenyChick · 07/10/2019 07:38

Hmmm, when do you exchange?

I am afraid you were unwise to let them wait until Feb, what if they change their mind? You have zero guarantees

As a no-chain buyer I ‘d look for other properties with less complicated sellers

AtillatheHun · 07/10/2019 07:43

Presumably you’re already exchanged? In which case what does the contract say about access / insurance/ condition on completion? Talk to the seller’s agent and get them to sort it. Hassle them.

Totalwasteofpaper · 07/10/2019 07:46

I have never understood this kind of behaviour.
I can not believe across an entire month she doesn’t have 30 mins.

I’d also insist on a viewing before exchange

Lottle · 07/10/2019 07:55

Definitely suspicious. Is it joined to another property? There may be noisy neighbours she can't believe you didn't hear last time. Is there an estate agent who can let you in? Ours did when we needed to measure. Definitely a deal breaker.

Loopytiles · 07/10/2019 07:57

Sounds like it could easily fall through.

I would insist on a visit.

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/10/2019 08:10

I'd never say no to this but she can. You can decide not to exchange before you do this though.

Chewbecca · 07/10/2019 08:11

Maybe she is going away for a month or 2 and that's why. Who knows? All you can do is say 'that's a shame, is there a date that would suit'?
Hope you have exchanged contracts.

CormacMcLaggen · 07/10/2019 08:27

I agree with @chinupchickeny - deal breaker for me.

This is likely the most expensive purchase you've ever made, it will impact your life in every way.

And the seller won't allow a half hour visit? You've already agreed a lengthy completion to suit them, they're being totally unreasonable.

I always have around 3 viewings and the last visit is just before exchange and completion to ensure everything is as expected (as advised by my solicitor) never had any issues with that at all. I've bought/sold a lot of houses.

I bend over backwards for buyers, too. I want them to feel confident, reassured and fully informed along the way.

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