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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no to my house buyers wanting to redecorate before completion?

292 replies

Tarantella43 · 09/09/2025 00:09

I know my house buyers slightly as they were parents at the school my kids attended until recently. They found my phone number from a former school year group parents WhatsApp group and set up a group chat with me once they made their offer (though estate agent — it’s not a private sale). Anyway, my house is now empty and it turns out they somehow presumed they would be able to have early access before completion to have floors sanded and walls painted, My solicitor strongly advised against this as it brings various risks, not least that I’d ultimately be liable for any accidents or damage. I said, on an awkward phone call they asked for with me, sorry, no, I’m not comfortable with this. They said it will be hard for them to do the work with kids and furniture. Seems like they’d assumed my goodwill in this. AIBU?

OP posts:
sleepwouldbenice · 09/09/2025 00:13

Of course they can't
Just say it how it is, I have had strong legal advice against doing this so sorry but no

Bluebay · 09/09/2025 00:13

I imagine it would affect your house insurance, too. I wouldn't allow it.

Saponarium · 09/09/2025 00:14

CFs

Helpmechooseausername · 09/09/2025 00:24

It's not legally their house until completion. What if the sale fell through? These things happen!
Tell them politely but firmly that your solicitor says no.
Goodwill would include coming round to measure up etc., not making changes.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/09/2025 00:28

They’re perfectly free to leave it empty for a while after they complete if they want to - if they feel they can’t do the work with kids etc about.

There’s no law they have to move in as soon as it’s theirs.

But they can’t start doing work to the house until it is theirs!

purpleme12 · 09/09/2025 00:29

No you're not being unreasonable

There's nothing wrong with saying no here

CheeseyOnionPie · 09/09/2025 00:30

No way would I allow this. If they want to decorate without kids around they will have to see if they can get an air bnb for a couple of weeks before moving.

SummerFrog25 · 09/09/2025 00:36

I'm soft touch 🙄

YANBU to say 'no' & it's the sensible option, but I'd probably tell them I'd consider it IF they can find (& pay for) insurance that would cover any damage/accidents etc.

the5thgoldengirl · 09/09/2025 00:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

ChilliChoco · 09/09/2025 00:40

No way should you let them. A 'fail to complete' is a thing. They could decide they don't want it and walk away. You'd get the deposit of 10% but that's it. They don't get access until they complete

the5thgoldengirl · 09/09/2025 00:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

timestressed · 09/09/2025 00:44

Just tell them that your solicitor advised you not to allow it. They are being unreasonable.

SweetBoraeline · 09/09/2025 00:48

I agree with your solicitor - no way.

AngelicKaty · 09/09/2025 01:01

@Tarantella43 I'm genuinely astonished your buyers need to have this explained to them. Until you complete you still own the house and you don't have their money. What if they entered your house to start renovations and accidentally set it on fire, razing it to the ground? You'd have no house, no money and no legal leg to stand on. Are they really this dim?

pikkumyy77 · 09/09/2025 01:04

SummerFrog25 · 09/09/2025 00:36

I'm soft touch 🙄

YANBU to say 'no' & it's the sensible option, but I'd probably tell them I'd consider it IF they can find (& pay for) insurance that would cover any damage/accidents etc.

You would be crazy to do so given how bad the real estate laws in the UK are. There is basically nothing to stop them from damaging the house or rendering it unsellable and then pulling out.

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 09/09/2025 01:09
Emperors New Groove Llama GIF

They said it will be hard for them to do the work with kids and furniture.

Well call me bitch but this leaped to mind...

FloofyKat · 09/09/2025 01:10

It’s a no from me. Don’t do it!

Franjipanl8r · 09/09/2025 01:14

I’d say yes then charge them rent for the days they want to spend in your house before completion!

RafaFan · 09/09/2025 01:18

People that you know slightly are always the most likely to take the piss IME. Definitely say no.

Dippythedino · 09/09/2025 01:19

Get your solicitor to send a letter stating as they do not legally own the property, they can't have early access to it. This carries all sorts of risk; they could squat, refuse to hand over the keys, change the locks & pull out of the sale. All sorts could go wrong.

If they ask again, turn it around and ask if they would do the same for their house buyers. I suspect the answer will be no and they're a pair of cheeky fuckers chancing their luck.

Vaguelyclassical · 09/09/2025 01:20

There's a strategy I learned to deploy when people complacently make utterly unreasonable demands:
Other person: So I'm wondering if I could Do Utterly Unreasonable Thing?
You: Excuse me, could you repeat that?
Other person; (repeats unreasonable request)
You (slightly bemusedly): So what you're saying is that you'd like to do utterly unreasonable thing before you legally own the house and my insurance would be liable if something went wrong? (and so on)
The idea is that without quite passing judgment, you keep obliging them to repeat the utterly unreasonable thing until they are forced to concede it is, well, utterly unreasonable.

Waterweight · 09/09/2025 01:24

Personally it wouldn't bother me if the house was empty & they had agreed to keep the place cleanish until handover

AngelicKaty · 09/09/2025 01:26

Waterweight · 09/09/2025 01:24

Personally it wouldn't bother me if the house was empty & they had agreed to keep the place cleanish until handover

And if they accidentally set it on fire and destroyed it, would that bother you?

Waterweight · 09/09/2025 01:35

AngelicKaty · 09/09/2025 01:26

And if they accidentally set it on fire and destroyed it, would that bother you?

Show quote history

If they're doing flamible things in there then absolutely but for sanding floors & painting walls in a already empty house that's just waiting for completion. Id get it in writing (or text) that any accidents or damage is on them & leave them to it. Unless there's some backstory like the carpets /walls are fucked & has been hidden by furniture, the electrics cut in & out so not worth risking anything being plugged in. I wouldn't PERSONALLY care.

Francestein · 09/09/2025 01:41

You know what they say about assumption, etc…
No way. It’s not insured for this.