Can our buyer do this? He's so irritating!

[Rumours0fAHurricane]

I've recently sold my late parents home, subject to contract. Sale going through nicely, chain is good and all I'm waiting for is probate to be granted in order for me to actually sell the home. So we are all on track

The buyer howler is such a pain. He's already asked for 4 viewings - and had them. However my issue is this ..

A few weeks ago he asked if he could have a key and wander round unaccompanied. I said no. So the poor estate agent had to trail round after him as he took more measurements and looked at things - god knows what - and he took up 2 hours of their time

Today he's asked for a key again. He wants to 'do his own survey.' Apparently isn't paying for one. So he wants access to the loft, he wants to check the boiler and look at the hive heating and take yet more measurements

Again I've said no to giving him a key but can I actually say no to a 5th visit? Is he taking the piss?

I don't want him in the loft, I have no idea at all if it's ok to walk around ( this is my childhood home but I've not lived there for 30 years!) and I do not want him standing on something or injuring himself. I do not want the settings messed with on the hive heating and same with the boiler. Just want it left alone. It's relatively new and works just fine and we have proof of that which he is aware of.

He just feels entitled to have a key when he wants and to do what he wants. He has accused the EA of ' obstructing him'

So.. is this a thing? Can he demand this?

Never known anything like it. He's very happy with the price of property so he's not looking to knock us down or anything. He's just feeling he should be able to do exactly what he likes

Three viewings are about right VictoriaBun. Most people look once, then have a second viewing to make sure before they offer. They then may or may not have a third viewing before or after exchange to ‘measure up’.

That isn’t what this very annoying buyer is doing.

3 viewings is fine with valid and perfectly good reasons. That's not what I'm talking about here

Demanding a key for own personal use, 5 visits, accusing the EA of obstructing the sale - that's not normal

With our new house we only needed to look round once. It was built in 2014 and perfect so really didn't need to go back.

Do not give keys to any buyer ever until the money has gone through from his account to yours.

Insist on no more viewings until then, or at the very least that the EA keeps hold of the keys whilst looking around.

A few years ago, a friend of mine was in a similar position to you op. The keys were given to the potential buyer to have a look around on their own, and they promptly moved in - furniture, kids, pets, the lot. Took a very, very long time to get them out again.

If he managed to borrow the key for his own view then who's to say he wouldn't copy it to come and go as he pleases.

He sounds a total nightmare.

Hope everything goes quickly for you

Ha yes. I have visions of him getting a key cut and just popping in whenever he feels like it!

@Rumours0fAHurricane.....any update on how it went when you declined the 5th viewing?

For what it's worth I think 2 to put an offer in is acceptable then a final viewing if really necessary to take measurements etc is acceptable. 4+ is a little ridiculous!