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

[Tarantella43]

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?

Oh get a grip, the vendor was more than happy.

They will need to pay to put their stuff in storage? Then decorate, then call for their stuff.

Oh for goodness sake the vendor was more than happy she was a property fund manager in her 'real' life and we are talking a £2m house. She wasn't some exploited old lady.

Everything is possible.

A friend was selling a farm and farmhouse as an executor. The sort of unique property where you might take months if not years to find a buyer, where conveyancing (and perhaps probate) can take a while, and where running costs: farm manager, maintenance etc were high. Luckily someone came along who saw it as their perfect property and wanted to move almost immediately for the start of the school year. They ended up with an initial rental contract as well as some sort of exchange/commitment to sell/buy at a set price and within a stated period. (Actually I think the issue was mortgage. Close to exchange the buyer realised there was a different, and much cheaper, mortgage product for farms and so needed time to sort it out.) Lots of additional complexity for my friend but no way did she want to lose a committed and qualified buyer.

However that was a complex transaction. On an ordinary house with no clear contract, you don't let people in till they own it.

A two million pound house is an even bigger liability, in this bracket and indeed significantly upwards of that price it is much harder to find buyers. Especially in the current market.

So if your house is wrecked, you are indeed going to have the expense and lose valuable time and opportunity with a huge repair. The cost of the house is largely irrelevant, it doesn’t give you any kind of free access to move in the builders before you have actually paid for it! 🙄

It is often chi chi buyers that will decide it’s not the house for them after all, maybe there is not enough sunlight in the kitchen or the energy isn’t right etc and forgo the cost of exchange anyway. A big risk to the buyer either way.

It used to be common though and there was a particular agreement that solicitors would advise, the name of which escapes me. And I know several people who've done it recently, both as buyer or seller. I think in most cases solicitors do advise against it now. But asking doesn't make someone a CF, and nor does refusing.

Clearly you have no idea, but dig in in 😂

I really couldn’t care any less. This is op’s thread not yours.

I can’t even understand your posts 🙄 perhaps start with that?!

Well along with your lack of understanding elsewhere, I’m not surprised really. Don’t worry, I doubt it’s a situation that will ever be a concern to you beyond the keyboard.

Nice insight to your attitude there.

Till it is theirs they can’t do anything legally to the property

If only you knew.

Oh what wait, your PhD and multiple law degrees. Yes dear.

Anyway as you too have last worditus, I shall say bye bye

FFS. Trust nobody especially when money is involved. The arrangements in the house are their problem, not yours.

Frankly, I'm surprised a poster brings this to a board after being specifically advised by her solicitor. Does she think posters on a forum are more qualified than her solicitor?

They may have thought it a reasonable request, but if you agree, remember no good deed goes unpunished! It may backfire on you so please say no.