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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Access to property buyer

66 replies

Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:21

We’re moving house in a week and a half in Scotland. We’ve just concluded the missives. We have a young baby and a 3 year old. Our buyer asked for access to measure things ups…we asked if they can hold off until the move date, which is just a week and a half away. They came back and said we have to legally allow access…we didn’t realise it’s a legal requirement. So therefore, they’re coming on Tuesday. Although they legally can come, we’re pissed off that they pushed the legal demand rather than wait a week.

are we unreasonable to be annoyed? It’s chaos and stressful enough with moving and two young kids….it just seems so off for them to pull the legal requirement on us.

OP posts:
londonrach · 20/01/2023 13:24

I didn't think they have access until they buy it but I'm in England not Scotland so maybe different rules.

DonnaBanana · 20/01/2023 13:24

If they’re just measuring up I’d probably tolerate it. Kick off and they might demand to move in earlier as well..

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 20/01/2023 13:25

DonnaBanana · 20/01/2023 13:24

If they’re just measuring up I’d probably tolerate it. Kick off and they might demand to move in earlier as well..

They can demand all they like but they can't just move in earlier

Prettypaisleyslippers · 20/01/2023 13:25

I’ve always allowed access, I’m sure 30 mins or so would be doable? It’s not like it’s a viewing and has to be tidy?

Whatthediddlyfeck · 20/01/2023 13:26

I’m in Scotland and they’re talking shite! Don ‘t let them walk over you like this, they’ll have plenty time for their tape measure once they own the house!

MatildaTheCat · 20/01/2023 13:26

Yabvu. They want to measure for curtains or furniture not take a trip to watch your chaos. Moving is stressful for everyone so be reasonable and let them pop in for an hour. Make them a cuppa even.

They might be needed for the odd letter or parcel that gets delivered to them by mistake so it makes sense.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 20/01/2023 13:26

Legal requirement my arse. Tell them to get fucked

CrotchetyQuaver · 20/01/2023 13:27

I had this whilst clearing my late parents house. It's a pain, but really you're best to allow them to come

Linnet · 20/01/2023 13:28

I'm in Scotland, when my daughter bought a house last year her solicitor told her she could ask to go in before the move in date to measure up but the seller could say no and there'd be nothing she could do but wait until she got the keys.
Did they ask through the solicitors or contact you directly?

DonnaBanana · 20/01/2023 13:30

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 20/01/2023 13:25

They can demand all they like but they can't just move in earlier

Show quote history

They either legally have access or they don’t. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a law that says you can have access to a property but only to measure for curtains. It’s either theirs or it isn’t

Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:32

Thanks for the quick responses :).

I’d have been more than happy if it were just me and my hubby, it’s just the complete and utter chaos and mess of trying to do this with wee ones. For the sake of a week, surely they could hold off? They’re coming on Tuesday, and it’s one week and one day after they move in. Will that week make all the difference. It’s just when we politely declined and they came back with the legal element.

we have been v patient with them on issues with their mortgage etc. we had 5 offers on the property at closing date, so could have easily gone to one of the other offers. It’s just left a bitter taste.

i know this is petty, but I was going to make them a little hamper as a welcoming pressie when they moved in…..but don’t want to do that now.

it’s in our nature to have a really good clean for them as we don’t want them to be disappointed when they’re measuring up. It’s just added stress.

OP posts:
Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:32

According to our solicitor, in Scotland they can legally have access for two visits before the move date, once missives have been concluded

OP posts:
Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:33

@Linnet they asked through solicitors

OP posts:
Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:34

It’s not the time they’re here, it’s more trying to get it looking reasonable for them.

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 20/01/2023 13:34

its usually in the offical written offer to allow further access, my solicitor pointed this out to me when i was selling and asked me to confirm this was ok, im surprised you agreed to this without knowing, amybe ask your solicitor

Swiftswatch · 20/01/2023 13:36

You sound incredibly petty. If it’s a legal requirement in Scotland then you have to let them.
The week could be the difference between them having a bed or not when they move, you have no idea why you need the dims.

Genuinely no idea why this is leaving a bitter taste for you, do you not want to see the property??

prettybird · 20/01/2023 13:37

Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:34

It’s not the time they’re here, it’s more trying to get it looking reasonable for them.

Don't bother then Wink

The missives have been concluded, they can't pull out now. Grin

prettybird · 20/01/2023 13:38

....and it may have been in their offer if it went to closing, that they'd want further access.

maslinpan · 20/01/2023 13:40

All they want is access to measure, they will have to work around whatever is happening. You don't need to prepare for them in any way, but like you I might rethink the welcome hamper.

Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:41

@Swiftswatch we even have a virtual tour which allows measuring up online. I don’t I’m petty: we have been so reasonable with these guys when they have pushed things with us. the chain nearly collapsed because of them!! It’s a week. We waited until we moved in to measure up and slept on an air bed….and I don’t know many places where they will have their furniture delivered in a week or ordering.

OP posts:
Original poster
Brum1992 · 20/01/2023 13:42

I’ll double check the written offer

OP posts:
NotThoseKindOfEggs · 20/01/2023 13:43

If missives are concluded, your buyers can’t pull out without penalty, so I wouldn’t be too worried about them changing their mind even if your house is a mess.

As far as I’m aware, you don’t have to provide access, even after missives are concluded, unless that’s a recent change, but it could help build goodwill against any potential issues.

Pipsquiggle · 20/01/2023 13:45

If they are locked in, I would let them in to measure up. Make it clear that they need to come at a time convenient to you, you won't be clearing up and your house is chaos due to moving and 2 young DC.

AuntieJoyce · 20/01/2023 13:48

As a PP said if you want to be awkward I’d be very sure you’re never going to need their goodwill in return. I accidentally ordered something to my previous address and needed to pop round for it. That’s just one example. The mail doesn’t always get redirected even though it should, is another

Movinghouseatlast · 20/01/2023 13:48

Yes a week will.make a difference. They will want to order curtains, maybe even sofas.

The people we bought from were like this. They said we had had 'too many surveys already' when we tried to arrange a boiler survey. The boiler blew up the day after we moved in because they had run the oil down too low and the boiler sucked in loads of crap from the tank Cost us £7k .

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