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Original poster

WDYD when you've completed and vendors are still in?

451 replies

Lemonwords · 15/07/2016 09:16

So we've finally completed on our property. We're waiting to get the keys but vendors are saying there is an issue with their removal service and can't move out today. Solicitor says they have to. They say they can't. Literally what do you do?

OP posts:
SuperFlyHigh · 17/07/2016 17:50

Expat please please don't think estate agents have morals or responsibility! A lot don't and will quite happily pass the buck.... Unless of course it's re their commission cheque where very often they drive/public transport etc in order to get this on the same day so it can be paid into their account. Have known EA to be with us in an hour to "get their cheque".

usernamealreadytaken · 17/07/2016 17:50

How frustrating for you. It's lovely that you were able to let them stay for the weekend without being homeless yourself, I really hope they are not swinging the lead and will be out tomorrow as promised. Hope you'll be happy in your new home 💐

Bearbehind · 17/07/2016 17:53

OP, I know you've had a bit of a hard time from people saying you were mad to let them stay but the reality of being in that situation on a Friday would mean what we'd all actually do would be quite different to what we'd like to do.

If they're not moving stuff at 9am tomorrow then it's time to play hard ball.

You solicitor and theirs will have agreed to vacant possession- they are in breach of that now.

SuperFlyHigh · 17/07/2016 17:54

Bearbehind but the whole point (can't remember where this fits in) is she's completed monies have been released etc but vendor still in property.

Hopefully it will be straightforward and vendor will get out tomorrow. If it isn't straightforward pending completion then yes both parties will be in trouble.

And I think others reading this thread would wish to know that this is a rare scenario, scant comfort to OP though.

timkitchin · 17/07/2016 17:54

Happened to us. Legally, all the strength is on your side. Be decent about it. Offer to help. Then chillax. And go for a nice lunch.

Bearbehind · 17/07/2016 17:58

If it isn't straightforward pending completion then yes both parties will be in trouble.

Eh? You do know 'pending' means prior to not after completion don't you?

That sentence makes no sense in light of the fact you now know they've completed?

I originally picked up on the fact you compared it to a client of yours not completing due to delayed funds which is totally different to this situation.

I wish I hadn't bothered now as this is off on a totally random tangent.

pollymere · 17/07/2016 17:59

maybe let their stuff stay but they need to go to their new property or into a B and B. I'm sure a van rental would mean they could take valuable items and essentials. I'm shocked they don't seem interested in checking out things at their new property. I hope they have one, unless they failed to complete on it.

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 17/07/2016 18:06

Goodluck for tomorrow OP. I hope you dont need it.....

Expat777 · 17/07/2016 18:10

Superflyhigh. Totally agree about EAs having no morals. Unfortunately I am trying to sell right now. They are all liars. Scum of earth. But maybe naming on social media might make them sort it out.

Postchildrenpregranny · 17/07/2016 18:15

Thought we had the scenario when we coukdnt get the key to open the frontb door of a vacant property DD had purchased .This was 5pm EA not helpful Just kept reiterating 'it's the right key' Upstaurs tenant let us in ..Never mind we thought We'll use the back door for actually moving in.The key to that one didnt open it.Called a locksmith who changed the barrel of one and the entire lock on the other .He said the front door was a copy of a copy of a copy ...Abd the back door was the wrong key .Still trying to get the £150 from the vendor as technically he was in breach of contract ...There are quite severe penalties
Hope you are sorted OP

TrippyMcTrapFace · 17/07/2016 18:17

OP, thanks for clarifying the situation regarding your solicitor.
Good luck for tomorrow, hope all goes well.

Naicehamshop · 17/07/2016 18:17

Blatant place marking for tomorrow!
Hope all goes well OP.

robin64 · 17/07/2016 18:18

This happened to us. Turned up with removal van and with 18 month old and 8 months pregnant. They were no where near ready to move out. We had to stay in a Travelodge and our removal guys had to also stay overnight. Luckily they managed to be out by the end of the next day. They had to pay the expenses as I remember. Stressful! If it isn't massively inconvenient its fine to be flexible for the weekend but if it goes past Monday and they have not left / told you exactly when they will be leaving then legal side of things needs to take over. Also I agree on seeking advice re insurance etc. Good luck OP and happy new home.

IceMountain · 17/07/2016 18:20

Good luck for tomorrow...

Beeziekn33ze · 17/07/2016 18:21

Hope it all goes smoothly tomorrow! 🍀

Chrissy1982 · 17/07/2016 18:22

Absolutely do it through your solicitors, they shouldn't have made the transfer of your money without vacant possession. It could be they are liable but suing solicitors is a nightmare, they are all friendly with each other and close ranks.

SpringerS · 17/07/2016 18:22

Be very, very careful about accepting money for rent before they move out. If they have transferred money to you already, they could start claiming that they are tenants and you are their landlords. It could make the whole mess take longer to sort out. Hopefully it was just a genuine fuck-up, but best not to take a chance and take money from them.

SanityClause · 17/07/2016 18:36

Estate agents are a PITA, and dont try to look after anyone's interests, except their own.

We once were asked if we would let the purchaser move in before our solicitor had the money. They were quite put out that we said no. (We had moved out, and the property was spic and span.)

Another time, we were selling again, and said completion must be on such and such a date, because we couldn't get removals after that. (It was just before Christmas.) Our estate agent continually referred to the purchaser as "the client" and arranged with their solicitor for the completion date to be a date our removal people couldn't do. In the end, the purchaser said we could keep our things in for a day or two more. (The things were furniture we had used to dress the property for sale.) We weren't at all happy with this, as we worried they might just lock us out. In the end, luckily our removal people did manage to squeeze us in on completion day.

Notmoreantihistamines · 17/07/2016 18:42

I can understand you wanting to be reasonable. However they aren't being reasonable. It is your house. I can understand the removals mistake but that doesn't mean they are entitled to stay in situ. They should have stayed elsewhere.

When we sold our first flat the purchasers tried to get us to pay their rent as completion wasn't month end, and they had to pay the full month. Not our problem. We refused and nearly collapsed the sale. Unbeknownst to us they had already purchased the freehold and had no intention of not going ahead. They just wanted money from us. Some people are just chancers.

Hope it goes smoothly tmrw.

BoffinMum · 17/07/2016 18:48

I would be in there mob handed with extended family, changing the locks if necessary and physically moving my things in, doing things like removing their food from the fridge and replacing it with mine whilst breezily saying 'helpful' things like, "Where shall I pop these bits and pieces for you? Shall I put them in this cardboard box?" I would also declutter their bathroom and start putting my things in there with a cheerful, "I've just put your condoms in with the milk" and "Where do you want this hemmarhoid cream?" "So sorry, that bathroom's out of action at the moment, I've got professional descaler on everything, would you mind popping to a coffee shop?" and so on, 'so they were massively embarrassed and inconvenienced, all the while I would be smiling and being incredibly polite. I had to do this to a tenant once who basically couldn't be arsed to get her act together and hadn't arranged her move properly. It was amazing how quickly she managed to pack and organise a van once I started taking charge of the proceedings. All her friends appeared and sorted her out. (I was still deep cleaning the house at one in the morning through, but that's another story, and I charged her £15 an hour for that which was quite a lot then).

SoupDragon · 17/07/2016 18:50

How is that at all helpful?

Hobbybaker · 17/07/2016 18:50

All goes well on Monday Chocolate Flowers Brew

Upthetree100 · 17/07/2016 18:51

Good luck for tomorrow op Flowers

Hobbybaker · 17/07/2016 18:51

Oops. That should've said 'Hope all goes well on Monday'.

BoffinMum · 17/07/2016 19:01

It is the school prefect tactic. Which worked.