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Original poster

Vendor not allowing viewing before we exchange contracts

142 replies

notanotherlockdownsurely · 10/12/2020 06:26

I first viewed in September with an estate agent and again the week later after my offer had been accepted. At the second viewing I met the vendors who sat outside while I looked around.
We're now coming up to exchange with completion shortly after Christmas and I need to measure up for where my furniture will fit ( or not)
The vendors are stating that they are not allowing any visitors due to covid restrictions. ( they are elderly and, of course, high risk)
So what would people advise me to do please?
I want the house but I want to know it's in the same condition as I last saw it before completion.

OP posts:
Ynwa12345 · 10/12/2020 06:30

Hi from your post title it looked like you weren't able to see it at all! I don't think that much would have changed especially if they are elderly in the space of less than 2 months? I would ask the estate agent (if they are allowed to enter) to take you on a live video tour again or take photos and do measurements etc? I understand the couples concern especially at the moment! Hope you get it all sorted x

Ynwa12345 · 10/12/2020 06:32

Less than 3 months sorry

BefuddledPerson · 10/12/2020 06:35

Hmm, you are advised to view before exchange so you know exactly what you are getting, so I wouldn't be happy not to do this.

Have you tried saying you are not willing to exchange without a viewing?

I understand their worry but it can be done safely surely.

Grobagsforever · 10/12/2020 06:35

Unless they are incapacitated they can stop being drama queens are go out for a walk before you view.

Perfectly reasonable request and I'd put your foot down insist. But then I have a bias against dramatic, inflexible, fussy people.

JacobReesMogadishu · 10/12/2020 06:35

I think their position is understandable and I’d accept it and work the furniture out on moving day.

JanetPudding · 10/12/2020 06:36

You've been there twice which is more than most people do. It's not the norm to see it a third time. I know that sounds crazy - so much money being spent - but it's normal.

FWIW, we saw our new house once for ten minutes then moved in eleven weeks later.

JacobReesMogadishu · 10/12/2020 06:36

@BefuddledPerson

Hmm, you are advised to view before exchange so you know exactly what you are getting, so I wouldn't be happy not to do this.

Have you tried saying you are not willing to exchange without a viewing?

I understand their worry but it can be done safely surely.

She’s had two viewings. Which I would say is the standard amount.
BefuddledPerson · 10/12/2020 06:38

The advice is to view directly before exchange. Anything could have changed. I wouldn't buy a house without this final check myself.

RoseAndRose · 10/12/2020 06:38

It won't have changed condition is any significant way in the six weeks or so since you last saw it. And you can work out your furniture's placement from the floor plan measurements

You can deal with furniture upgrades just as well from the new place in about 2-3 weeks time as you can now

Leave them be

BellsaRinging · 10/12/2020 06:40

If you're worried about the condition can you ask them to have a video call where they walk round the property? Can they do some measurements for you?

BibbityBobbityBellend · 10/12/2020 06:42

I've never viewed a house more than once. They probably think you are taking the piss. Three times is excessive. They are not there at your beck and call to let you have a nosey at what is still their house.

I understand that you should view before exchange if you wish but you could have measured on your second visit.

HeronLanyon · 10/12/2020 06:42

Your post has conflicting reasons for wanting to view again - measuring up and checking condition (obvs you want to do both maybe).
In communication with estate agent/ vendors be consistent. If it is measuring up if I were the vendors I’d think ‘well we’ll take measurements for you’ - I’ve done this pre COVID selling where buyer couldn’t get to the house - they just s sent me the measurements they needed - guess they knew I’d be accurate and in fact I sent photos also - something you might be less confident of with elderly (?) sellers ?

Is there something in the survey which would explain the need for another visit better than ‘measuring up’? I wonder ?

evenmoreforthemoor · 10/12/2020 06:43

3 viewings is excessive especially at the moment. Xmas is coming up, they may have lots of decks up or stuff out and not want you to see the house as it is.

They're elderly and afraid. Ask for the measurements you want.

BackwardsGoing · 10/12/2020 06:44

Leave them alone. You aren't entitled to multiple viewings, COVID or no COVID.

Jenifirtree · 10/12/2020 06:45

Is it really standard to view a house before exchange?

Grooticle · 10/12/2020 06:45

You buy it in whatever condition it’s in at the time of exchange.

You absolutely must see it as close to exchange as possible. I’ve always insisted on visiting the morning of exchange before I authorise the solicitor to proceed.

Explain (via agents or solicitors) that you need to see the property to check it’s in the same condition before you can exchange. Wear a mask, sanitise your hands, and make your visit as quick as you can.

Grooticle · 10/12/2020 06:47

I’m always baffled by how many people don’t know you should view again before exchange!

Put it this way: if you’ve offered on an immaculate house, nicely decorated, carpets in beautiful condition, and then the sellers have a big leaving party the night before exchange and trash the place, then you don’t have any comeback. You buy the house in that condition when you exchange. So your “ready to move into” house needs total redecorating and new carpets.

BefuddledPerson · 10/12/2020 06:47

It won't have changed condition is any significant way in the six weeks or so since you last saw it. Hopefully. Almost all houses will be fine but occasionally there are issues.

It isn't standard to view before exchange - it is advised, but many people don't.

I am cautious with my money admittedly.

Bluntness100 · 10/12/2020 06:48

If it’s not in the same condition you have legal come back if you act promptly, I think you’ve had two viewings already and I can see why they would be concerned about a third, they are elderly and can’t be expected to go sit outside in the cold whilst you go in and measure up.

Bluntness100 · 10/12/2020 06:49

@Grooticle

I’m always baffled by how many people don’t know you should view again before exchange!

Put it this way: if you’ve offered on an immaculate house, nicely decorated, carpets in beautiful condition, and then the sellers have a big leaving party the night before exchange and trash the place, then you don’t have any comeback. You buy the house in that condition when you exchange. So your “ready to move into” house needs total redecorating and new carpets.

It’s unlikely during Covid elderly people isolating did this...
Original poster
notanotherlockdownsurely · 10/12/2020 06:49

The advice is to view directly before exchange. Anything could have changed. I wouldn't buy a house without this final check myself.

These are exactly my thoughts although appreciate others views too.
The vendors are elderly but not in the slightest incapacitated. I think they just don't want me to visit ( although they have offered to measure up for me) and it's making me wonder why. I don't buy the Covid reason, they could go out and I'd mask and glove up.
I guess I can pull out but really really dont want to do this

OP posts:
BefuddledPerson · 10/12/2020 06:50

You could try to say you won't exchange without viewing - have you tried this?

PegasusReturns · 10/12/2020 06:53

The advice is to view directly before exchange

Really? From whom?

I’ve never heard that or had in encouraged by a solicitor.

Olivetreekeeper · 10/12/2020 06:55

Can you ask for a live video call with them so they can show you around the house to confirm condition? To all those saying it won't have changed since you last saw it, some people are awful and could have ripped out boilers, pipes, destroyed carpets etc. You just never know. We were heavily advised to view before exchange. We didn't do it morning of, but not too distantly. Still margin for problems though and we were worried about it but couldn't get timings to work.
You could put your foot down but obviously they are still in their rights to refuse and pull out of the sale.

Olivetreekeeper · 10/12/2020 06:56

@PegasusReturns

The advice is to view directly before exchange

Really? From whom?

I’ve never heard that or had in encouraged by a solicitor.

We were advised this by our IFA, our solicitor and in our mortgage paperwork. Moved a few weeks ago.
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