Vendors want to vacate at 4pm, contract states 1.30pm

[readingrainbow]

First time buyers.

The EA "house move manager" range dh and tried to pull a fast one, frankly - I have been dealing with the house purchase and they have consistently rang dh instead of me to get him to agree to things. Argh.

Anyway, they had him agree to a 4pm move out time on completion day which is several hours later than what the contract states. The move manager has now tried to make me seem the unreasonable one as I won't allow them that "bit of extra time to clear their things". I reminded her that once the funds cleared, the property is no longer theirs and we would be held liable for any damage or injuries on the premises. I'm not trying to be difficult, but I do expect the vendors to hold to what they've signed.

Aside from that, why should we be the ones to allow them extra time? What about our time, isn't it equally valuable? Waiting around with our things until 4pm - or later, I could see an extension on the time limit happening - is decidedly inconvenient.

Dh doesn't want any hassle with the vendors, but I don't think I'm wrong in being hard-nosed about this, am I?

[Spickle]

Can I just reiterate.... the contracted time is for the transfer of monies NOT moving in time. Monies need to be transferred up and down the chain before the bank's clearing is shut at 3.30 pm. Of course in an ideal world, the money is transferred, the solicitor calls you to say that money is in and you can go and collect the keys. However, people are not always as organised as specialsubject (who admits she didn't have a colossal amount of stuff and the removals turned up early because it was a long journey). If the people are still in the house packing up their stuff, all you can do is wait.

[wowfudge]

Best thing we have ever done was pay for packers - they are so quick. All our stuff was out of our house, cellar and garage by 11.30 on moving day. As we completed on the sale at 11.45, that was definitely a good thing. The crew who packed us up then went to help another who were struggling before driving to our new house and unpacking the vans.

It's all possible but does depend on people being organised and not attempting to do everything themselves in too short a period of time.

[Trills]

If they are out by 4 you CAN sleep there the first night.

Even if everything is a mess and you go to bed late.

It's psychologically important to sleep there as soon as humanly possible, so you feel like it's yours :)

[specialsubject]

My point is that people need to work to be organised. We emptied the garden sheds well before the move and put stuff into store, for instance. A house move isn't a surprise.

Lets hope these vendors don't turn into the subject of a recent thread, sellers who didn't leave!

[Believeitornot]

I wouldn't be so arsey about it tbh. Maybe that's why the EA is ringing dh instead

We were similar to you as FTB and had a month overlap. I didn't even think to check they'd moved out by whatever time, I just picked up the keys after work and had a glass of champers with dp to celebrate.

The second time we moved was more fraught as we were in a chain and wanted to be out and in our new home on the same day. As it was, our buyer messed up and we got funds the following day but luckily our vendors let us in the house anyway as they had moved out. Instead we could have been in a hotel with the two DCs.

[specialsubject]

It is business so the contract rules. It is not a matter of being arsey, which is what the vendors are. If they don't have time to pack they make time or pay someone.

[Scarydinosaurs]

I'm glad you've decided to be flexible and your move goes smoothly now! We had a long ten month purchase and that feeling at the end was amazing!

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Have they got pets? If so, forget staying on the first night and get the place deep cleaned, fumigated and flea treated before you move in. I am never moving in on handover day again

[readingrainbow]

Oh, didn't think about that. They have an elderly dog that is kept on the ground floor so it shouldn't be too bad. Fingers crossed.

[Mangetoutisdelicious]

Perhaps they are getting someone in to dismantle the shed on the day and aren't actually doing it themselves?
Moving house is a nightmare for vendor and buyer alike. Don't think I've ever moved in before late afternoon/early evening/the next day.The money-transfer has never been a smooth process IME either!
I wouldn't plan on sleeping there that night; you may need to throw out carpets once furniture is removed etc.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

To be honest, having somewhere else to stay is the best bit about being a first time buyer. You are not forced to be in on Day 1. You have the luxury of giving the place a good scrub, picnic'ing in your new home, slapping on some white paint or getting very messy jobs done before you move in. Making sure that the boiler, the drains and the shower works properly before you simply have to live with it. If you have kids, you also have the opportunity to childproof the house and garden.
With a month, you also have time to get some big jobs done if that's on the cards like a new bathroom or redecorate your own bedroom so you have a nice sanctuary.
You'll never have this opportunity again !!

But do put a rocket under the EA though.

[readingrainbow]

So, just as an update for anyone interested. The shed remained; investigating further revealed it has concrete foundations and partially bricked walls, so it was never coming down anyway. I have no idea what the EA was on about.

Additionally, the previous owner popped round for some post and to give us their number if we have questions about any quirks in the house, and mentioned that they were out of the property by 9.30am on moving day.

What a load of waffle I was fed by the EA. Absolutely ridiculous.

[specialsubject]

Happy ending - but what a lot of unnecessary stress..

BTW I hope they have set up a post redirect and those are just a few items that slipped through. Enjoy your new home!