Vendor shielding - AIBU?

[MrsTWH]

My vendor is refusing to let the bank valuation surveyor and our building surveyor into the house during lockdown. She is in her 80s so I do have every sympathy with the fact that she is worried about catching coronavirus. But she has already seriously delayed us and the housing market remains open - I absolutely don’t want to be unreasonable or cause her extra anxiety, but equally my buyers are kicking off as everything has to be put on hold until 3rd Dec. And that’s of lockdown isn’t extended again!
Do we just suck it up or do we ask politely that she could sit in the car for an hour and opens all windows while the surveyors do their job while wearing PPE?

Is she using an estate agent? Could they help in explaining how it could be done safely. They won’t want to loose a sake presumably.

What does she think us going to happen on Dec 3rd? Covid isn’t magically going to disappear so the risk is the same next month as if she lets the surveyor in this week. And what if lockdown is extended, does she expect you to wait indefinitely? I would be pointing that out and seriously considering pulling out if she doesn’t back down.

Yes she’s using an estate agent but they have shrugged and said she’s adamant and there’s nothing they can do.
I’m assuming lockdown will be extended again, and I don’t think it’s reasonable to keep us hanging when there are no laws preventing this from happening and the housing market is open. But I thought I might have been unreasonable given her age!
Could I pass my concerns to my solicitor?

Pull out, see what she does then

I do feel for her. It would be scary. Does she have any family nearby? When did the house go on and you offer?

But as PPs said, this isn't going to go away on 3rd December. I would contact your solicitor and ask what they'd advise to get things moving.

“ Do we just suck it up or do we ask politely that she could sit in the car for an hour and opens all windows while the surveyors do their job while wearing PPE?”

Try that. Otherwise I’m afraid you might have to pull out. If she finds another delay reason, it will go on pointlessly.

I think you could ask your estate agent to let these professionals speak with her on the phone to ease her concerns

I have a surveyor coming to my house soon: I will ask him to do 1 room (my office) 1st so I can wait in there while he does rest of house. I was also told surveyors are not touching things at the moment, it’s a visual check (apart from damp readings). If I had concerns I might arrange to air house, wait in car , or spend day with my bubble

I think delaying is risky to your transaction so hope you get a solution

This is really tricky for you. I appreciate her concern but now really isn’t the best of times for her property to be on the market. Where is she moving to I wonder.
Who knows we could be back in some form of tiered lockdown after this. What’s going to happen after Christmas etc. This would make me very nervous in your position.