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

[Lemonwords]

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?

If I had good evidence of a genuine mishap of some kind I might have been sympathetic to them leaving stuff in the house, packed up and as much in one room as possible, but not them: they could have gone to friends or a Travelodge.

Did they know you were not actually moving in yourself? I bet they thought 'oh, it will be OK....' because they found a cheaper removals deal for a Monday.

That, at this stage, would be a best case scenario!

Anyway, I hope it all works as they say, OP, and you get your house back on Monday. Good luck!

If the solicitor has done their job it will be a penalty fee they pay not rent
In that case they have no right to stay, and should move out. But the OP has given them permission to stay, so a landlord/contract has been created - nothing needs to be written down.

unless its a License to Occupy, then they can only be there for 4 weeks. But that means OP is running a hotel!

If you aren't moving in straight away I would get your solicitors to draft an agreement that they can stay out of good will until the builders start/you need to move in (I'm thinking monday) then anything over that they will incurr the costs of putting off builders, utilities used and any other cost associated with them obstructing your move. Technically they are squatting now. Xx

Gulp!

I am quite nervous on your behalf OP! Hope they are trustworthy and this is not the beginning of a huge long drawn-out legal headache for you.

Did your solicitor actually approve this plan? It seems madness!

Also marking my place. I def would not have let them stay for the reasons given above.

We moved into our place to find vendors had left a ton of stuff - furniture, washing machine, dishwasher, towels, cups, etc and a shed literally rammed to the ceiling with the most unbelievable crap. Weirdly it was very clean though.

Called our useless conveyancer who dodged the issue and sent us an email 4 days later saying we had a duty to pay to store it! Fuck that, it all went to the tip the day we moved it, and a right pain it was too. I mentioned it to a property lawyer later and she said we were within our rights to bin the lot.

I hope they are decent people - if stupid - as you've taken a big risk.

Oh gosh I hope it all works out on Monday. Are you in contact with them.directly? I would start to move your stuff in, so that you can keep an eye on what they are doing, packing wise.

I hope they do go Monday. But if i were you i would demand them leaving, i'd knock on door then when they answer just walk in... it is now your house not theres.
Bit confused though, if they are using water, electric etc wouldn't you have to pay for what they use since it was your house now

Fingers crossed for Monday, you are more trusting than me x

Shameless place- marking in anticipation for tomorrow. I'm hoping it all goes well OP, if not I feel there are a few flaming torches and pitchfork wielding MNs who'll be happy to help you get them out (me included- if you're selling then you're moving out... They should have made other arrangements)

So you've paid them the money and they're still living there? Wow, they think you're stupid, don't they? Did you speak to your solicitor on Friday?

Take advice bearing in mind your mortgagee, who won't be best pleased to have squatters in their security. Fingers crossed it's a usual Friday snafu: when I was in practice my conveyancing colleagues always tried to get clients to agree completion on any day except Friday - everyone wants a Friday, and as a result the money side (banks transferring the dosh) can crash and then you have to wait until Monday ...

This is a different variant on the same issue. The sellers are in the wrong, and it isn't clear that they have tried to man up and deal with it while complying with their contractual obligations. It is likely to work out OK, but the consequences if it doesn't could be nasty, so do take advice and cover your arse.

I'd be fuming - you are being very (overly) tolerant - hope it works out ok on Monday for you!

your too nice for your own good :D if it was me id get in that house one way or another and refuse to budge and if they refused to leave id call the police, id give them time to pack a few clothes, but thier stuff would go in the garage or at least all be shoved in one room, even if it meant i had to sleep on the sofa for a couple of nights, either way i would be going in and they would most definetly be leaving!

You're very patient OP I think I would have been stalking the front door all day but come Monday they will have to be out surely if op doesn't want to continue with this rental arrangement?

OH wow, what a worrying situation. Have the managed to book removals for Monday then? Have they everything packed up?

can't believe what I'm reading! Hope it works out OP xxx

You must be very foolish (and very stingy?) not to get a solicitor to set you straight about this.

You need to get them out, for all sorts of reasons, not least insurance- I don't suppose your insurance covers this scenario.

I cannot believe you solicitor didn't insist they vacated yesterday. I am not sure i'd have allowed them to stay at all. There are ways and Means!
Do you have any evidence of completion/rental agreement on where they are going to?

Honestly? I'd rent a van myself tomorrow and move them on

This is not a problem with moving on a Friday , in the OPs second post she says they actually completed late on Thursday , so in theory the removers let them down on Thursday ,so they already had Friday to sort it out , which is why it sounds like they had no intention of moving out on time .

Did they know you weren't moving in immediately? If so then I expect they think they can take their time.

Yikes. You are very tolerant OP. I'd have had them out.

Hope they are gone on Monday.