AIBU To not allow access (flat sale)

[Londoncallingme]

I am selling a flat that I don’t live in, (it is furnished but vacant)
We have a completion date set but the buyers have asked if I can clear the furnishings a day before completion so that they can come in and pull up carpets/clean before they move in the next day. I feel uneasy about handing over the keys before completion day. AIBU not to? I suppose I’m asking really if there’s any reason not to give them keys before we’ve completed.
YABU TO REFUSE ACCESS
YANBU TO REFUSE ACCESS

Depends how much you trust them! I wouldn't be handing over keys before completion.

Definite no. They could cause damage while it is still yours.

Of course not.

Why can’t completion date be a day earlier? Can’t they just come on completion day? I’m not sure if there are any home insurance /legal implications if they’re doing stuff in your property.

Absolutely no way. They can do it once they own the property and it is their carpet.

No there's a reason for the process. They wait til they have the keys, simple

Check with your solicitor, and then say no (which is what the solicitor will say).

@StringFellow

Why can’t completion date be a day earlier? Can’t they just come on completion day? I’m not sure if there are any home insurance /legal implications if they’re doing stuff in your property.

Of course there are.

Just no to the whole thing.

No. The property is still yours until Completion. They can do what everyone else does and wait for the keys!

No. What if the sale doesn't go through on the day and you're left with a house that has no carpets, and god knows what other damage, to try to resell? And what 9f they start squatting?

No.

I wonder who the 7% are? The ones that think OP is being unreasonable to trash her carpets before Completion.

Are they the kind of buyer who would make a similar request? Or just don't undertsand the possible ramifications?

Absolutely not. Until completion and keys handed over it is your property. They can rip up carpets before they move stuff in when they own the house.

Ynabu to refuse access. They can wait a day and do it when they own the property.

That would definitely be a flat no from me

At least you would have exchanged by then so they're legally bound to complete the purchase, but frankly they can rip carpets up after they have the keys! They'll just have to deal with it. Everyone else does!

Absolutely not. If you asked your solicitor they'd tell you not to let them in too. The keys stay with the agent until the property is officially theirs and the solicitor lets them know they can be released.

Absolutely do not agree to that.

the buyers have asked if I can clear the furnishings a day before completion
I assume you'll be leaving the flat empty except for anything you've told them you will leave ?
Other than that, no. They don't get access before they own the flat.
Your Estate Agent or Solicitor can email their Solicitor to point that out.

No way. Simply because you are liable for every damage as long as you are the owner of the house. I am not sure on technicalities of the insurance but surely theirs doesn't kick in until completion. It's just a risk I would not be prepared to take.

On another note, and I'm not suggesting this is the case with your house at all, when we moved in and ripped the carpets up, we realised that quite a bit of the floor boards needed changing which was an added cost and a delay. Whilst I definitely would not have pulled out of the purchase because of this, what's to say they won't be out off by something they see under the carpet? Again, I'm not suggesting you have anything dodgy going on (honestly!!!) but the process is there for a reason.

Definitely don't let them have the keys earlier. Your solicitor will tell you the same. They could gain keys, change locks then pull out of the sale! Guess who would have the hardest time getting money from them,.

If they are decent and genuine buyers they will understand when you say no.

Don't ever give anyone keys till you have completed. They don't like it. TOUGH!

Your solicitor would advise against it.

I’d agree to remove the furniture a day early so that they could get into the flat nice and early on completion day (once formally completed of course).

The keys should only be made available to the buyers after completion.

Thanks all. This is what I felt but wasn’t sure why as they will have exchanged by then so they are bound by the sale agreement. But it doesn’t sit well and I don’t know why, I just don’t like it.