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AIBU?

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Original poster

House Buyer Wants to Measure Up

51 replies

Dasher789 · 07/06/2021 09:56

I am in the process of moving house. The contracts have been signed and the entry date for my buyers is at the beginning of July. The buyers were to send round a surveyor to measure up for some work they want done.

I am WFH so on the one hand it would be easy for me to let them in but on the other, I might have a last minute zoom call pop up and I work in the room that they want to measure which wouldn't be suitable.

I don't want to be awkward/rude if it is a normal thing for buyers to want to do but if I did agree to the viewing, would it be the EA or myself who let them in? The EA took the viewings, I don't particularly want to meet the buyer.

AIBU to feel uneasy and should let them in to have a quick look around the room they want to measure?

OP posts:
Randomo · 07/06/2021 10:30

You can meet the buyers - But dont give them your contact number or tell them where youre moving next.

As for measuring up - I've never done it, but I can see why its handy.

Normally I booked a week off during the move in date, and after moving in, spent the following day/s measuring, buying and fitting everything myself.

(Tbh, the 1st night you just need to somehow manage without curtains. Next day early morning, measure up, go to curtain warehouse buy material and fittings on the spot, install by end of night. Then do any further alterations when you get time.

ApplePie86 · 07/06/2021 10:33

[quote Dasher789]@ApplePie86 could I ask why that is? I did check with the lawyer and they said that because the contracts are signed it was okay. I think I would mind less though if it was just the surveyor.

One of the other worries I have is that when the house was for sale it was spotless. It is no longer spotless, 1. because we don't normally live like that and 2. because we are moving we have been a bit more blase eg. if we take something out the loft, it hasn't been going back etc as we will need to bring it down again in a couple of weeks.[/quote]
I suspect most in Scotland maybe exchange contracts and complete on the same day (I have for all my purchases anyway).

To be honest if it was so important for them to have measurements they should have stated that as a requirement in their offer or simply asked for a 2nd viewing and brought a measuring tape.

Did you also have a floor plan available? That has sizes although I know doesn't help for windows etc.

If they've already signed you don't owe them any favours and it's inconvenient for you so just say no.

AllOptionsAreOnTheTable · 07/06/2021 10:33

@ApplePie86

This is completely unreasonable if you were in Scotland. Sellers are advised to never allow buyers in.

Why don't you just offer to take measurements for them?

I've never heard of this in Scotland.
Bibidy · 07/06/2021 10:40

Yes I agree you're being a bit unreasonable, even though I would totally feel awkward too!

I'd just block the time out in your work diary and reject any calls for that time, or just do audio? Explain to your manager, I'm sure they'll be fine with you not taking video calls for 30/45 mins, if that.

UrAWizHarry · 07/06/2021 10:44

"I suspect most in Scotland maybe exchange contracts and complete on the same day (I have for all my purchases anyway)."

Not true. In Scotland house purchases are legally binding weeks in advance of actually moving in - once the missives are accepted, it's binding.

Hence it's pretty common for visits to take place once this is done for measuring up etc as if the buyer pulls out they are liable to pay damages.

AllOptionsAreOnTheTable · 07/06/2021 11:57

I suspect most in Scotland maybe exchange contracts and complete on the same day (I have for all my purchases anyway).

Never been our experience. Missives have always concluded weeks before completion.

Sally872 · 07/06/2021 12:02

Good for you OP. Understand it is out of your comfort zone but definitely a reasonable request from buyers and nice to be helpful.

@ApplePie86 I am also in Scotland where it is very common to allow buyers in to measure up. Not sure who told you it was illegal.

Sally872 · 07/06/2021 12:03

And have always had missives signed well in advance of moving day. People get more annoyed if it is not done promptly after price agreed. Very rare to wait until exchange. (Again @ApplePie86)

Viviennemary · 07/06/2021 12:05

Of course you should let them in. I'd be suspicious if I was refused access.

ApplePie86 · 07/06/2021 12:12

@Sally872

Good for you OP. Understand it is out of your comfort zone but definitely a reasonable request from buyers and nice to be helpful.

@ApplePie86 I am also in Scotland where it is very common to allow buyers in to measure up. Not sure who told you it was illegal.

I didn't say it was illegal. Just my experience although that experience is buying rental properties and I have always exchanged and completed on same day. 🤔
Sally872 · 07/06/2021 12:25

Perhaps buying to rent is different, no experience of that @applepie86

notalwaysalondoner · 07/06/2021 12:34

Totally reasonable of them, I mean put yourself in their shoes for a minute - being allowed to measure up means they can plan work and furniture much sooner, it can easily take months to get these things scheduled. And you want to say no because it might be awkward, your house is messy, and you might have a last minute zoom call? Sorry, those aren’t good reasons. Warn them in advance about the mess and the risk of a work call. If a work call comes in, just take it and sit with your back to the wall or just say they can’t measure that room while you’re on the phone. YABU.

AhNowTed · 07/06/2021 12:39

When we bought this house, we met the vendors and they showed us how various things work like the alarm, gates, heating, solar panel.. stuff no EA could explain.

It's totally normal.

Seeingadistance · 07/06/2021 12:39

I suspect most in Scotland maybe exchange contracts and complete on the same day (I have for all my purchases anyway).

This is nonsense! Completion and exchange aren’t even terms which are used in Scotland.

Once missives are signed the deal is done, and entry date is usually some time after that.

NameChange74567 · 07/06/2021 12:40

@ApplePie86

This is completely unreasonable if you were in Scotland. Sellers are advised to never allow buyers in.

Why don't you just offer to take measurements for them?

I'm in Scotland and have never heard of this in my life.
Seeingadistance · 07/06/2021 12:42

@Sally872

Perhaps buying to rent is different, no experience of that *@applepie86*
Process is exactly the same whether property is for rental or not. Missives then date of entry.

It might be discouraged if there are tenants in the property and the landlord doesn’t want them to have the hassle of dealing with buyers.

Seeingadistance · 07/06/2021 12:46

I’m about to put a rental property on the market. I waited till the tenants had left so they won’t have hassle of viewings etc. I will be happy for potential buyers to take measurements at the viewing stage, and certainly not a problem at all when missives concluded.

Also, although I rented the property out, the buyer may live there themselves or rent it out. Up to them.

user1487194234 · 07/06/2021 12:48

In Scotland it’s a standard condition that the buyer gets access on 2 occasions post conclusion of missives

Pottedpalm · 07/06/2021 13:11

I would let them on! When we moved the buyers came round with their children and did some measuring. We showed them things like how the rather old boiler worked, the oil tank procedures etc. Then we sat in the garden and chatted for a while with a glass of wine. They were very appreciative.

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2021 13:18

I’d be highly suspicious if I was refused access pre exchange, I’d just think it was plain obstruction afterwards - and a bit bonkers.

Roselilly36 · 07/06/2021 13:18

Totally normal to visit to measure up, we did it, our buyers did it. We were in the middle of packing, they couldn’t have cared less, did their measuring & left. If you don’t want to meet them ask if the EA can meet your buyers and give them 30min slot or so. You are paying them enough and it’s all part & parcel of selling. Good luck with your move.

JudgeRindersMinder · 07/06/2021 16:06

@ApplePie86

This is completely unreasonable if you were in Scotland. Sellers are advised to never allow buyers in.

Why don't you just offer to take measurements for them?

That’s not quite accurate. Once an offer has been accepted on a property, the buyer is not supposed to be allowed access until after the missives have been signed. I don’t know why, but that’s how it is.

We bought very recently and our solicitor was able to sweet talk the seller’s solicitor to allow us in again as we’d made the offer without my husband seeing the house.

1moreglassplease · 07/06/2021 16:19

When I brought my house (1996) it was a probate sale and completely empty. The owner's son who was selling it refused to let me in to measure up before moving day. I'm glad to hear that this appears to be an exception rather than the norm though.

He was an awkward sod all the way through the process though and even my solicitor complained.

Wombats12 · 07/06/2021 16:27

@Sally872

Perhaps buying to rent is different, no experience of that *@applepie86*
No, it's not different.

I have bought & sold in Scotland a lot & it is usual for missives to be concluded way in advance of completion. The sale can still fall through if there's an issue with title but not for the reasons sales fail in England, people randomly pulling out, etc.

IntoAir · 07/06/2021 17:25

if it is a normal thing for buyers to want to do

Totally normal thing to ask to do - if I were buying, and you were to refuse, I'd be pretty darn annoyed. Might have to think twice about a purchase if a vendor was going to be so petty over a small thing like letting a buyer in to measure up.