House seller acting weird?

[bullywee]

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?

Have you already exchanged?
I would be very uncomfortable with a long period between exchange and completion given you are on risk and have to insure the property.

I'd want to be sure everything was alright before moving. There's just too much risk that something could happen given the length if time.

Thanks for all your replies. To answer few queries.

• The house is new to me but not a new house
• It matters to me if the new furniture I intend to buy will fit in the doors/kitchen space etc. I am moving from a 2 bed flat to a 4 bedroom detached so a lot of new furniture is needed.
• The long time suited both parties. I am returning to my home after 10 years, my new job starts mid Jan.

I am going to contact my solicitor today and tell him to advise the sellers solicitors that if I don't get entry on at least one occassion between now and 1 Feb agreed in writing I am pulling out.

I'd insist OP. My recent buyer insisted on numerous visits to the point where I was thinking wtf but I sucked it up til the 4th visit then put my foot down so you are not being at all unreasonable to ask for one

You are being very accommodating by waiting until Feb so the seller is acting very strangely.

I'd insist on another viewing before exchanging contracts.

And I'd keep an eye on the market for a back up plan too.

I'd definitely be arranging another viewing! This weekend if possible. With a friend/relative who can give a new perspective and who might spot things you didn't see in the initial excitement of finding your dream home. Hope it all works out for you 👍

We had a long delay between offer acceptance and exchange (7 months). We were advised to do a check before we exchanged as anything could have happened to the place in the meantime.

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

Have you had your survey yet?
If not, you can arrange to accompany the surveyor & do your measuring etc then. Always a good idea to have a face to face meeting with surveyor if you can.

If you have already had the survey, ring the agent & explain that the buyer is being unreasonable in not allowing you 30 minutes access. Whatever you are paying for the house, it's a huge sum! - & the buyer needs to wind her neck in & stop being daft if she wants you to spend it on her house.

Have you exchanged?! I hope not. I am a Conveyancer and would never advise my client to exchange for completion that far away without clauses in the contracts for reviewing and break clauses! They could do anything to the house in that time or indeed anything could happen in your personal lives!

I think you are right to have done that OP and would have done exactly the same. It's very off. How far along in the process are you?

I think that’s very reasonable If you - good luck

but given the sellers are being difficult here

Is a good reason to pull out.

The fact they had long move in date isn’t relevant to whether the OP should pull out.