To ask the seller if the cleaner can go in the day before we complete on house purchase!

[Deedippy]

So we are buying a probate house. House being sold by adult children and currently empty (ish) and hasn't been lived in for over 2 years. The house is very dated and needs alot of work but we are planning to live there whilst it's being done. The day of completion will be bonkers as we are selling our current home to purchase this one and the last thing I need to be doing when we finally get in whilst settling two kids and the dog is run around with the bleach and hoover. So aibu to ask the estate agents to ask the sellers (we've met the son and he's very nice) if our very lovely and trusted cleaner could go in after exchange but before completion to blitz the place? Or is this idea a totally absurd?

Why would they still be packing at the point they become the owners of the new house? That would mean they were in the house belonging to their buyer (and terminally disorganised)!

Ask the else agent if a deep clean can be arranged at yiur expense before you move in. Not so awkward asking a third party!

We are actually going to the house at the weekend as survey has come back with a few things we want to check out. Will be able to see if the g plan has gone and assess grime levels!!

I sold my late father’s house as a probate sale, and would have been more than happy to allow this, as long as the cleaner had insurance and/or you agreed to cover any damage.
I would have wanted it to be via the estate agent though, and I preferred to deal with requests regarding furniture via them too.

We've done this , the house was empty and it was filthy. I we were allowed to have professional cleaners go in the day before we completed to clean the house , carpets and windows as there was no way I was putting any of our things in that midden

I've sold 2 probate properties and 1 non probate.

We were asked similar, one was cleaning, one was storage, by both probate buyers. We said no to the storage mainly due to the risk of damage to their property and also the way they did it - arrived at the property and asked a neighbour who they knew had a key for access. The cleaning one was more due to advise on the first of damage to the house and them having mentioned wanting to start work asap - didn't trust them not to.

Both were properties were a fair distance from where we lived and so would be unable to check prior to completion which maybe a factor.

For some, probate properties are not just an empty house, there is a lot tied up in it emotionally.

Ask politely and be flexible.

If it's a probate sale the sellers may not live anywhere nearby. Imagine someone's great aunt dying and having no other relatives. They may just get house clearance people in and sell the house. A buyer just buys as seen and sorts out any cleaning.

Of course, it is more likely to be a close relative, but probate sales are a mixed bag.

Update! They said yes!

One of the sons who has been the main person dealing with the estate agents was initially worried as his solicitor advised him not too but basically he has agreed and will be there whilst the cleaners are!

We did offer for him to choose the company but he said he didn't want to risk choosing someone that didn't do a good job when we would be paying.

So it may be old and dated but it will be clean

A solicitor would advise not to as you shouldn’t be giving keys/ access before transfer of ownership. I’d ask anyway perhaps if they can hire your cleaner for an exit clean and you will pay the costs.

Also how long for a deep clean?

I'm thinking 3 people for 4 hours should do it.

It's 4 beds, (3 have huge mirror fitted wardrobes with lots of shelves that need doing) 1 bathroom (very old and needs a very deep cleaning) 2 receptions, 1 kitchen (including oven clean) and a utility

See update. Seller will be present and basically they've booked who we said and we've paid

Cross post well done for sorting it out. Might be worth hiring her a carpet cleaner, good time to do all the floors before furniture goes in.

If we had gone with our cleaner that would've been a great idea.

Ended up going with a local very well known removals company who also do end of tenancy cleans so they have full insurance etc. felt it was too big a job for our cleaner alone