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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:
peggyundercrackers · 15/07/2016 17:19

Yes? Go round and kick door in and charge them for damage and rectification of damage, get locksmith to change locks, job done, tell them to go stay in a hotel over the weekend. I think your making a massive mistake leaving them there.

OlennasWimple · 15/07/2016 17:41

Next thread from the OP: "how do I evict someone from my property?" Sad

Chippednailvarnishing · 15/07/2016 17:49

I've been in a very similar situation and my solicitor insist we locked them out and only because we were nice allowed them to collect their belongings later.
You have made a serious error OP and I sincerely hope this isn't the start of squatter hell for you.

bloomburger · 15/07/2016 18:09

Let's hope they don't burn your house down over the weekend because I can't see how you'll be insured!

CotswoldStrife · 15/07/2016 18:19

Chipped has the best solution there I think. I'd still be saying I'm not responsible for their possessions though and would squash them into one room (I'm assuming they have packed previously and that wasn't being done by the disappearing removers).

However - I do think the OP has spoken to them and it's too late to get any further advice from her own solicitor now. Keep checking on them over the weekend OP!

expatinscotland · 15/07/2016 18:25

You realise you are now legally responsible for these people and their possessions? It's your life, but I'd have got them out.

Our vendors pulled this stunt. They were moving to a new build and the build was delayed.

Not my problem. We were moving from leased housing, our lease was up the day before we completed. We had to move out, store our stuff and stay in a hotel. Told them they needed to be out when we completed. We drove straight to the house after completion and changed the locks.

Unless you have lease back written into the contract, they don't have to pay you a penny for rent.

You're being a mug.

Batteriesallgone · 15/07/2016 18:27

Olennas no the next thread will be from the poor in laws who will have to put up the OP for however long this goes on!

Chippednailvarnishing · 15/07/2016 18:29

I also got to charge another seller storage for leaving his Porsche on my drive when he couldn't find the keys on moving day!

LIZS · 15/07/2016 18:30

I would be visiting the property over the weekend to assess their readiness to go and ensure they hadn't removed anything or damaged your property in the meantime. Tell them you have plans to measure, check the layout, decide decor, show family round etc which cannot wait. Take photos, meter readings, make them feel uncomfortable and an inconvenience, insist on taking all the keys (ea should enforce this). Presumably their purchase/onward rental also went through on time so they actually aren't without somewhere to go , even if they had to camp out, although frankly that really isn't your problem anyway. Be there first thing Monday if possible to watch them leave. Make it clear your sympathy has limitations.

ButteredToastAndStrawberryJam · 15/07/2016 18:36

There's just no excuse for this, vans can be hired, storage can be rented. OP you aren't insured. They need to get out tomorrow, you've already been more than accommodating.

MustStopAndThinkBeforePosting · 15/07/2016 18:40

If your solicitor didn't write a penalty clause into the contracts to charge them shitloads of money for failure to complete, then the solicitor is an idiot.

Just5minswithDacre · 15/07/2016 19:04

If your solicitor didn't write a penalty clause into the contracts to charge them shitloads of money for failure to complete, then the solicitor is an idiot.

They will have done.

amarmai · 15/07/2016 19:41

Maybe get the builders in ASAP and give them permission to order them to get their stuff out as they are not responsible for damage--but you will be!

PotteringAlong · 15/07/2016 19:49

Bloody hell! Do you have permission to rent from your mortgage company? Do you have correct insurance?

Original poster
Lemonwords · 15/07/2016 21:33

We may live to regret this but short of sitting on the doorstep and waiting until the door opened to get in or physically breaking in it wasn't possible. There seems to be a presumption we had keys, we didn't but we do now though so can walk in 9am Monday and could do tomorrow if we hadn't come up with the back up plan... We've managed £1k a day but not going to be badly off and it's already been paid in advance. We're now building insured and they have contents. I do let another property too so not dodging the tax on what we've been given either. Although the mortgage company are in the dark so feel nervous about that.

It has been an anti climax to buying as don't feel Like we actually own it yet: fingers crossed for Monday but all looking good.

I still have no idea what you do if someone does refuse to move on the day though.
Obviously you can follow legal processes but that takes time. My solicitor has been useless their estate agent has sorted most of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lemonwords · 15/07/2016 21:34

Should say we've Not managed £1k a day. I'd stay at the in laws for a few months for that much!!

OP posts:
Elbekind · 15/07/2016 22:45

This happened to us! Exactly the same story.
We spoke to our solicitor who advised us that allowing them to stay would cause a whole range problems. For one, your house insurance doesn't cover other people damaging your house.
Also, there can be legal complications when it comes to evicting someone who you have said can stay. Even though you may specify a period of time they can stay (e.g. the weekend), the power of the police changes once you have allowed them to stay at all.
We insisted that they move out the same day, even if they had to leave some of their furniture. They ended up leaving all the bulkier stuff that they couldn't fit into their cars and we gave them the weekend to take it all with them. We told them that come Monday we would simply take it to the tip. They did take the majority of their things but unfortunately left a lot of mess that they said that had planned to tidy up once there stuff was out the house but hey ho, at least they were gone!

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 15/07/2016 22:54

OP if you let another property then you know already that Landlord's insurance is very different to Buildings insurance and currently you are a sitting duck. I think you sound really nice and beyond reasonable but this just isn't on.

OhTheRoses · 15/07/2016 23:11

This is why you always engage high quality solicitors and not cheapo conveyancers. Saves money and hassle in the longer term.

emwithme · 15/07/2016 23:45

So you've accepted rent off them? Welcome to the world of landlording, you now can't evict these people for six months...

newtscamander · 16/07/2016 00:36

You are crazy to have let them stay. I really hope it doesn't backfire.

MyLlamasGoneBananas · 16/07/2016 01:26

Your insurance will be invalid I expect. What if they now break or damage something significant even by accident. What will you do Monday if they have another cocktail up?

I just cannot believe your solicitor would have allowed this. You have consulted your solicitor on this haven't you?

PotteringAlong · 16/07/2016 06:48

You are completely bonkers.

short of sitting on the doorstep and waiting until the door opened to get in

This is exactly what you should have done.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 16/07/2016 07:16

You will be in breach of your mortgage conditions

Does your insurance cover rented properties?

Honestly - this is crazy. I would down there as soon as possible with a locksmith and tell them you have changed your mind. If not, you must do this first thing on Monday morning. You must get them out.

The estate agent acts for the sellers so they don't care if you are in breach. Don't listen to them

Liiinoo · 16/07/2016 10:02

Them being there doesn't need to stop you being there. You are their landlords. Go down there, knock on the door. Walk in and call a locksmith. They can still stay until Monday but it should be on your terms not theirs.