Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Complete but not taking possession until 3 days later (no removals)

42 replies

wecandothisagain · 26/06/2021 06:50

Does anyone know if it's possible to complete, but then not take handover keys/take possession of your sale/purchase for a few days?

Reason I am asking is because we want to meet the stamp duty deadline, but there will be no time to arrange removals as we have not even exchanged yet.

Thanks

OP posts:
hedgehoglurker · 26/06/2021 06:56

We arranged to collect keys the following day from Estate Agents.

RampantIvy · 26/06/2021 06:58

If you don't have to vacate where you are now on the same day of course you can, but I would still pick up the keys on completion day.

BruceAndNosh · 26/06/2021 06:59

You can complete but not move IN.
Unfortunately if you are selling you can't complete and not move OUT

Dollywilde · 26/06/2021 07:00

Fine for your purchase - as FTBs we completed on a Thursday and picked up the keys Saturday, started renovations the following Monday, didn’t move in for 2 months.

Bigger issue is if you have something to sell - you can’t complete but leave your stuff in the old house. Do you have a chain? Where’s all your stuff at the moment?

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 26/06/2021 07:03

As pp said, fine if you don't have anything to sell.

Original poster
wecandothisagain · 26/06/2021 07:08

We are in a chain of 4:

  1. FTB in rental
  2. Buyer in Flat
  3. Me in Flat
  4. Vendor is selling a vacant BTL property to me

Both myself and the buyer are having removal issues. Plan was for all chain 1-3 to take possession of keys on completion day.

OP posts:
LivingLaVidaCovid · 26/06/2021 07:11

I completed and didn't move in for a month as had some work done and wanted in professionally cleaned.
I did move out of my old place and lived with family in the interim though.

NothingTraLaLa · 26/06/2021 07:16

If buyers 1 and 2 are taking out mortgages to buy, there will be an issue with their lenders if the properties aren’t vacant on completion.

Dollywilde · 26/06/2021 07:17

So FTB would own property 2 but Buyer’s stuff would still be in there, and Buyer would own your flat but your stuff would still be in there? And FTB would stay put in their flat until you could sort removals?

Won’t work I think. For starters it’d invalidate your house insurance.

RebeccaCloud9 · 26/06/2021 07:21

Well yes of course you don't have to move IN on a particular day. You can also not move out if the buyer is definitely with that. Dodgy ground re insurance I think though.

We did similar - had nightmare with removals and ended up having to do it ourselves and just couldn't physically get it all done in the day. Our buyer wasn't moving in straight away and was absolutely fine with it. We worked though the night and got out as quick as we could. All worked out fine thank goodness!

Original poster
wecandothisagain · 26/06/2021 07:28

Thanks, seems like it could be tricky with mortgages/insurance.

OP posts:
CustardyCreams · 26/06/2021 07:33

I really would not risk letting your seller stay in their property past completion. Ask your solicitor if in doubt, they will set you straight.

LIZS · 26/06/2021 07:35

Is this to meet sd deadline? Your solicitors would each need to draw up rental agreements. Unless it is very short notice there will be removals somewhere.

sueelleker · 26/06/2021 07:44

We were renting, and after completion we picked up the keys and spent 2 weeks re-decorating before we moved in. If you're not in a chain, you can move whenever you like.

pilates · 26/06/2021 07:49

No, you need to give vacant possession on completion.

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 26/06/2021 07:58

Have you tried anyvan? They can be booked late in, I've used them 3 times now with no issues.

HettySunshine · 26/06/2021 08:00

Most mortgages require vacant possession on completion so if the sellers haven't moved out the buyers would be in breach of the terms of their mortgage.

If every is cash buying it's not a problem.

Didicat · 26/06/2021 08:01

I am desperately hoping we can complete and then lease the property back to the sellers as they can’t move out due to isolating due to Covid. We have exchanged and due to complete on Monday and they can’t leave isolation until Friday.....

Only found out about it after the office closed yesterday........

My full sympathies are with you, the stress of buying houses is insane!

Lonecatwithkitten · 26/06/2021 08:07

Whilst technically it is possible you have three sets of solicitors that all need to agree a way forward and get the paperwork in place with a very tight timescale that is going to be the tricky bit.

Unfortunately removals will be scarce as everyone tries to meet the deadline.

LivingLaVidaCovid · 26/06/2021 08:07

You need vacant possessions so does buyer in flat.

Your stuff needs to be out of the flat to complete.
You need to find removals men to put your stuff in storage early or get a van and DIY. (Expect to sweat)

If you and buyer in flat are searching for removals you could team up and get one contractor to do am the whole job. (Each pay your own costs obvs,)

Theunamedcat · 26/06/2021 08:11

Man with a van? Mate on a cheap rate? You must know someone who has a licence? We used to hire a van and do it ourselves my moms freezer slipped off the tailgate once she hadn't emptied the dam thing there was peas all over the road 😳

BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush · 26/06/2021 08:12

Getting one firm to do everything removal wise might work.

If it was just 2 in a chain….maybe with good will you could stay there. But chain on 4 can’t see any solicitors agreeing to that.

RebeccaCloud9 · 26/06/2021 08:17

Can you get all your friends to come and help?

LIZS · 26/06/2021 08:18

Or can a removal firm pack a day or two before completion and deliver a day or so afterwards. Might mean a few days of camping with whatever could fit in car/self drive van or you take essentials to store at family/friends for collection in a hire-van on removal day.

Jumpingintosummer · 26/06/2021 08:27

Many movers offer temporary storage. I would get possession into storage as close to completion as possible and stay with family or hotel a few nights. Use first few days at new property to clean, change any flooring etc then have removals deliver.