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?

They don’t get access till everything is signed and money transferred
not a chance

No of course not! Cheeky sods.

Imagine if they flooded it or burnt it down, then pulled out of the sale. Wise up.

It’s not legally their house yet….they can’t just rock up and start decorating!

Lots of people have young children, pets etc and have to decorate/renovate whilst living there. I’m sure they can manage too!

No way would I allow this.
Im suprised you even have to ask for opinions. Its a straight no.

I haven't even read the post, the title is enough to say no they can't, the house isn't theirs until completion.

No, ridiculous ask

We did exactly this. And there is a legal way to do it that protects both the buyer and vendor. It's called a Key Undertaking.

My husband runs a business from home but needed some things set up before completion or he would have caused huge disruption to clients.

We signed a Key Undertaking and had limited access after exchange.

Everyone mentioning insurance is forgetting your supposed to take out insurance after exchange anyway.

I'm surprised your solicitors didn't suggest a Key Undertaking. It's actually not that unusual if the property is empty.

Just tell them your solicitor said no.
Let your solicitor be the bad guy.

Our NDN had their bedroom floors sanded when they moved in and the downstairs ceiling collapsed! So no way would I let the buyers do any work before completion. Just cite the legal advice and mute the WA chat if needs be. (Which you were mad to agree to anyway.)

No, the house isnt legally theirs yet its still yours. They could potentially still pull out of the sale and youd be left with a mess!

I'd allow it after exchange but before completion provided they could get some kind of insurance. Clearly you don't have to, but I would because I like to make life as easy as I can for people if there's no reason not to.

This sounds sensible.

Maybe, but sanding floors & painting isn't exactly high risk, they're not pulling down walls. & if they can find insurance & are prepared to pay for it...

EDIT: I didn't see @Followthattaxi post before I wrote mine. KEY UNDERTAKING, rather than insurance then.

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

Oh dear.

Well they could delay moving in or rent elsewhere.

Whatever they decide it's their problem to fix.

Of course they don't have access into a house they don't owe. No no no .

I would have exited the WhatsApp group within minutes of it being created!

This. And stop engaging with them on the WhatsApp /phone calls - go through your agent/solicitor.

Be bright and pleasant with them in person - dont bring it up. If they mention it say "oh no did the <solicitor/agent> not say? We cant do that sorry" and then change the subject.

Definitely not. Apart from damage, there are also risks about them having access then just staying there without completing, meaning you’d have a difficult court process to get them out.

Are they FTBs? It’s such an unreasonable request that I assume so.

Agree you should stop chatting on WhatsApp. Leave it to your solicitor.

Tell them if they want to complete sooner, they can do whatever they like, but until that time they do not have legal access.

Absolutely not. When I bought my current house the sellers asked if they could leave some sort of massive lathe there until they could arrange transportation. Again, absolutely not.

Absolutely don't do it. When my FIl's house was getting sold, the house was empty. The estate agents let the buyers in before completion, they started doing things before the house was sold!
My SIL wasn't bothered, don't think she said anything.
I would now always make sure someone was there when a house was getting viewed etc.
No way would I allow someone to do things before the money was transferred.

It’s a massive no and that’s it.

Also communicate only via solicitors or estate agent.

next thing you know, the sale falls through and they’re wanting to charge you for the work. They’re either naïve first time buyers, or they’re taking the P. We ALL want a bit of time to decorate before we move in!