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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:
Original poster
Lemonwords · 18/07/2016 12:23

The Thursday / Friday thing was because my solicitor didn't bother to ring and tell me we had completed. I rang just before office closing and then it was confirmed. So the removal thing made sense at the time Hmm

If we had no where to go I would have been furious and I would have taken more steps than just asking what to do on mumsnet. Although it looks like that will still have a taken some legal action.

DH is on with changing the locks now so we're in.

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 18/07/2016 12:31

Removal companies charge more for a thursday or Friday removal - supply and demand.
Few people move on a Monday, so they will have saved themselves some money. Possibly more than the payment to you, and not having to pay for a hotel

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/07/2016 12:33

DH is on with changing the locks now so we're in

Whew - thank god for that!! Grin

Still disgusted with our solicitor, though; if he thinks you're "barmy" to do what you did, it's a pity he didn't give you the advice and support you're paying him for at the time. Next time, get a better one ...

CotswoldStrife · 18/07/2016 12:34

They won't have saved any money because they have to pay for storage! They have only increased their costs!

I'm glad you are in now OP, as others have said the vendors not having anywhere to go was a bit of a warning flag so I'm glad they have moved on. Don't do it again, though - having said that, this has probably put you off moving for life!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/07/2016 12:34

Your, not our ... I've not had any reason to get disgusted with mine yet Blush

Scarydinosaurs · 18/07/2016 12:35

They've behaved awfully. They should have been honest. Lying is just awful and they have caused you so many problems.

I hope their new house has subsidence!

wowfudge · 18/07/2016 12:42

Somerville our last purchase a few years ago didn't complete when it should have done. The monies never reached the vendor's solicitor on completion day. It was stressful. In the end the vendor agreed a side letter undertaking and let us have the keys so the cleaners we had booked could get in. His tenants had moved out. Luckily due to the state of the place and the fact we weren't selling in order to move, our removals were booked for the day after completion.

We never did get to the bottom of whether it was the solicitor or the bank which was at fault.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 18/07/2016 12:50

Phew!
It did sound like more than a removal company cock up. I'm baffled why anyone with young dc would take such a mad gamble on exchanging and completing on one day without a plan b securely in place. Particularly when they knew their paperwork was iffy.

wowfudge · 18/07/2016 12:54

Glad they are out and you are now in OP.

OlennasWimple · 18/07/2016 13:11

Good news, OP. Enjoy the new house!

Goingtobeawesome · 18/07/2016 13:36

When we bought our first house together it wasn't going well as we were too young to buy so big Hmm. They then asked us for an open ended completion after exchange as they were having a house built. We laughed. They weren't having a house built. Some houses were being built in a complex that thinks it's special and they happened to be buying one. They thought we'd be a pushover what with being too young to be buying their house Hmm.

When we moved in here the old owner and her family were awful. Weren't out by the time limit, took stuff she said she'd leave, left bags and bags of rubbish, the place was filthy and they were rude too. We enjoyed spending the homebase vouchers we used to get before she remembered to change her address.

JudyCoolibar · 18/07/2016 13:44

The solicitor would know it was a simultaneous transaction and legally they needed to give vacant possession. If they didn't know at the time they certainly did by Friday when op was chasing for keys.

Well, obviously, LIZS. But there's no reason to suppose s/he knew in advance that they weren't going to move out. They probably told him or her that they'd made arrangements for somewhere to stay during the period between completing their sale and moving into their new place.

User543212345 · 18/07/2016 13:58

Surely the vendor's solicitor would have known about it as he would have received a crapton of cash from your solicitor but wasn't passing it on to the house builder as the paperwork wasn't in.

Glad it's sorted but by golly your vendors are bastards. Have they taken all the lightbulbs/loo paper etc too - I wouldn't put such behaviour past them.

torthecatlady · 18/07/2016 14:16

Our house was empty for a few
Months before we moved in, so at least we knew the vendors wouldn't be there. However, I have read many a horror story of vendors refusing to leave! Glad it worked out for you!

FattyMcFatFace · 18/07/2016 14:50

DH is on with changing the locks now so we're in

Great! Now try to forget all this crap and enjoy your new home.

OhGodWhatTheHellNow · 18/07/2016 14:56

Actually, we moved in before completion - buying off extended family and they weren't living there so let us in early to fit in with school starting date. We didn't tell the solicitors and we were supposed to complete a few days later, but a hitch developed which dragged it out for five weeks Blush Seriously awkward and spoiled our !moving experience too, as felt like squatters.
All behind us now and still good friends with previous owners. I wouldn't recommend it though.

expatinscotland · 18/07/2016 16:26

Glad you're in there.

Awalkinthepark1 · 18/07/2016 16:34

It depends on the terms of your contract. Any expenses incurred by you they have to pay. Talk to your solicitor, that's what your paying him for!.

JudyCoolibar · 18/07/2016 17:33

Surely the vendor's solicitor would have known about it as he would have received a crapton of cash from your solicitor but wasn't passing it on to the house builder as the paperwork wasn't in.

All that that would mean would be that the vendor's solicitor would know their new place wasn't ready to move into. It doesn't mean that they would know that their client didn't intend to move out. I suspect the vendors told them they'd sorted out temporary accommodation without saying what that was.

shillwheeler · 18/07/2016 17:46

Glad you're finally in OP.

Quite possible seller's solicitor didn't know about their non-moving....but think the point is solicitors should have been more communicative and done something positive when they knew that there was an issue.

With a simultaneous exchange and completion, going round physically to check you've got vacant possession can be a good option and pay dividends.

If you were under pressure to complete because you had builders booked, and their purchase had problems, I can see how this happened in a way - but they really should have been open and honest and just moved out when they were meant to!

Don't quite know where the suggestion of taking rent came from, but that would have opened up a whole new minefield of issues and I am glad that you don't have to cross that bridge.

Hope you can now put it behind you and enjoy your new home.

suzybe · 18/07/2016 21:23

Glad you've finally got it sorted. There are plenty of stories about bad moving experiences and previous owners not leaving is just one of them. One of our moves involved the previous owners selling their house to house-builders as part payment for a new property. We arrived with the removal team and my parents at an empty house and waited. And waited. And waited. Our money was due to be paid at one o'clock but the vendors hadn't told their mortgage company (they were in arrears) that they were selling. We totally flattened the batteries on our phones calling solicitors and estate agents trying to get the mortgage company to take the money and authorise the keys to be given to us. They finally agreed at five pm but it was too late for our stuff to be completely unloaded. Fortunately the removers found the beds, bedding, kettle and cups before leaving to return and finish the next morning. Of course it was a Friday removal so we were desperate to sort it on the day.

Masketti · 18/07/2016 21:45

The removal thing might have made sense a bit but you can always get removals same day if you're prepared to pay the price.

They knew they weren't moving on Friday so decided to cause you grief and screw you over making you have a stressful weekend. Kids or no kids they're arseholes.

Cleanermaidcook · 18/07/2016 22:59

Glad you're in op.

Upallnight9 · 18/07/2016 23:10

I think you are massively understanding and patient OP. I really wouldn't have been especially as they lied and blatantly took the piss out of you. Thank god it's resolved now.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 19/07/2016 17:46

Good to hear you're in. Congrats on your new home! Flowers