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Original poster

House move about to fall through

57 replies

Mirrorxx · 15/12/2020 18:19

We are about 14 weeks into chain and were expecting to exchange today when the vendor of house we are buying said unless we complete on Monday he is pulling out. We can’t find a removal company that is free on Monday and it’s such short notice. The estate agents seem to be totally shocked and I can’t believe we are going to lose so much money and miss the stamp duty deadline over some arbitrary date. Has anyone got experience of vendors like this?

OP posts:
Littlereen · 15/12/2020 23:14

We wanted to complete next Monday too, we found removals but our issue was the other solicitors in our chain won’t do any work after 18th, so this is worth baring in mind, you might have similar issues in your chain if you complete next week!

LeaveMyDamnJam · 15/12/2020 23:18

He’s had another offer.

TokyoSushi · 15/12/2020 23:22

You can't let a house moved all through because of removals! (unless you want it to) We got notice that we were moving at lunchtime on a Thursday to exchange and complete the following day - it can be done!

Look on FB or put a plea out in local groups for a 'man and van.' It might not be what you wanted but surely you want to be in your new house for Christmas? Right?

It might be a ploy, but I'd call their bluff and get going!

Needhelpwithaquestion · 15/12/2020 23:22

He is being unreasonable. Equally you could do it if just removals

FurierTransform · 16/12/2020 08:48

If the only thing holding up the exchange/completion of the entire chain really is just agreeing removals, then absolute worst case, go hire 3-4 of the biggest vans available from wherever has them, knock on neighbours & offer £100 to help you fill them, & do a DIY move. All you have to do is empty the house before the completion time - you can take your time moving into the new house.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 09:18

It’s not just removal for us. It’s the rest of the chain. As well as being able to get time off work and set up WiFi to enable us to work next week. We said at the start of the process we needed a minimum between exchange and completion

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 16/12/2020 09:21

It's probably a tactic. If he's near the top of the chain and ready to go, he'll be annoyed at slow progress below. Go back with a counter offer of a different date. If you were due to exchange today, what day did you have in mind? Does that still stand?

If he really does go ahead and pull out, it won't be because you can't do Monday, it's because he's using it to hide another reason.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 09:28

The rest of the chain has agreed to completion date of 7th January. He is the top of the chain

OP posts:
Saz12 · 16/12/2020 09:42

OP, I’d find it hard to believe he’d pull out now if you complete on 7th, unless he’s looking for an excuse (unlikely if house is empty and winter coming!). I’m guessing he’s freaked about some guessing prediction of house price movements, and/or Covid shutdowns preventing house moves after Christmas, or he just wants everyone to hurry it up already.

Tell him the rest of your chain can’t/won’t move so soon, though you “might have been willing to do so for this house”. Tell him you’ll sign today for completion 7 Jan. Do it via the agent (who is on his side, not yours), and if it doesn’t help then get solicitor to do same.

TheTeenageYears · 16/12/2020 10:01

If the house you are buying is already empty it's likely to mean the vendor has no personal idea of the current stress he is putting on others with his demands because they don't affect him - he's sitting in his ivory tower with everyone scurrying away beneath him. If he's not buying he also isn't quite getting the memo on the stamp duty clock ticking but he is still likely to feel the effects later if he pulls out. It will affect his ability to find a new buyer. Some people really do need to be experiencing these things to be able to understand and beyond asking the agent to reiterate the current issues for everyone else in the chain to the vendor there's not much you can do.

We were given an arbitrary date to exchange by or else a few years ago. Vendor was being totally unreasonable as it didn't have all the required sign off's for electrics etc. It was hugely stressful and I struggle to understand why one person would do that to another and not be able to see how hugely in the wrong they are. Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

Africa2go · 16/12/2020 10:09

I think you need to at least try. I wouldn't be willing to let the sale fall through without at least trying.

Yes its unreasonable, yes its inconvenient but if there is any chance he genuinely will pull out, then you need to act.

As others have said, think outside the box for removals or contemplate doing it yourselves. As for wi-fi - work in a cafe, some pubs are doing business deals where you can effectively use it like an office for £10 a day including lunch. It will be a pain but no doubt better than losing thousands on surveys/ solicitor costs etc / stamp duty from sale falling through.

As I said above, if there is any chance this is a genuine threat, you have to at least try if you want the house.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 10:24

@Africa2go we have tried. We have now contacted over 20 removal companies and had no luck.
@TheTeenageYears I think you are right. He doesn’t seem to understand how busy solicitors are and he hasn’t been feeling any on the stress. He seems to think it’s dragged on a long time but it actually seems to be a normal timescale in current conditions

We don’t want to lose the money we have already spent but if he pulls out we will stay in this house for a year or two before looking again.

OP posts:
Africa2go · 16/12/2020 10:39

Sounds like you've already made your mind up.

NewYearNewPlumbing · 16/12/2020 11:29

He is playing silly buggers.

Get your solicitors o say exchange today, complete 7th of Jan or no deal.

What do you have to lose? If he means it he will pull out anyway - and if you and the rest of the chain can't move next week, well, you can't.

NewYearNewPlumbing · 16/12/2020 11:30

If the exchange happens, he has security that it is happening.

PointyMcguire · 16/12/2020 11:45

Sorry if I’ve missed it but how many people are in the chain?

On the internet front we ordered an EE 4g router to tide us over until we can get our proper internet set up. We moved in Monday and had working internet by the very next day so it can be done.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 13:31

Well he’s now come back with accepting completion in January if we pay him extra

OP posts:
NewYearNewPlumbing · 16/12/2020 13:37

How much extra?

I would say 'we exchange now, to give you security, on the agreed terms'

NewYearNewPlumbing · 16/12/2020 13:38

Id he buying somewhere else?

I would tell him that if he does not sell now his chances of selling before March 32st are very slight. And since SDLT kicks back in again then, which will deter buyers, and there may be a post-Brexit house market slump, he is welcome to take his chances.

Horehound · 16/12/2020 13:40

You don't seem very energetic about looking at other ways to have done it. Just rent some vans and do it yourself.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 14:06

@Horehound I’m not very enthusiastic about being blackmailed into things. I don’t want to reward someone for behaving like this, I don’t need to move that badly

OP posts:
Horehound · 16/12/2020 14:09

[quote Mirrorxx]@Horehound I’m not very enthusiastic about being blackmailed into things. I don’t want to reward someone for behaving like this, I don’t need to move that badly[/quote]
You're cutting your nose off to spite your face. He's fucked off a house sale has taken 14 weeks and counting. You just don't want to reward him for blackmail except you will lose the house you want to live in.

So youre admitting you just don't want to get it done because that's what he's dictating, not you I hope he pulls out.

Horehound · 16/12/2020 14:10

And it's not blackmail. It's a choice.

Original poster
Mirrorxx · 16/12/2020 14:20

@Horehound I’m not cutting my nose off. I’ve suggested dates and I’ve been the one chasing the solicitors everyday for weeks.
If he pulls out if is him who will lose out the most. We have tried our hardest and we would have exchanged by now if it wasn’t for him.
I like the house but it’s not irreplaceable

OP posts:
pinkdragons · 16/12/2020 14:25

He sounds like he's playing games. Don't pay extra. He's not going to find anyone else to buy the house and complete before mid January is he.

Keep going and if he pulls out, he loses the sale.

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