Moving out after exchange

[NoMoreChangesPlease]

Namechanged as pretty detailed and outing!

So I've just received a message from our buyer (via our estate agent) and have never heard of anything like this before..although I admit I'm not super experienced in house selling/buying.

They're asking if we're happy to do a key undertaking at exchange so they can access the property between exchange and completion. They want to be able to clean and do some minor decorating before moving in properly on completion as they have an under-3 child.

Also tacked on is whether we would be happy to move out on exchange, or even a week before completion when they would need to be out of their property...

I just don't even know where to go with this!

Are they being CF?

Is this a done thing?

Are there any repercussions if we were to comply with what they've asked, that could bite us on the bum?

CF territory!

I have a friend who had carpets fitted between exchange and completion, but the place was empty.

Just say no if you don't feel comfortable - that's entirely the point of setting a completion date!

So they want keys to your house before they've paid for it?

Can you not exchange and complete on the same day?

No absolutely not. Your solicitor would refuse this anyway and the mortgage company would refuse to honour your mortgage. Until they have paid for it it is your house and you do not give them keys. If they need to stay somewhere they can get an Airbnb.

CF. I'v heard of people moving some things in between exchange and completion where the property is empty but not where someone is living there.

I'm guessing they're FTB, their rental has come to an end and they're avoiding paying for a hotel, b&q etc?

Big CF, tell them to do one. You could do it if the property was empty but not if living there

I wouldn’t agree to it. Like @HadEnoughOfBears says, they’d be wanting access before they’d paid for it.

I wouldn’t even give a reason, just ‘no I’m afraid that won’t work for us’.

Absolutely not, for mortgage and insurance reasons. They can complete, get the keys, move into temporary accommodation while they do work needed like normal people.

It's one thing I'd the property was empty (still not a good idea), but you are still living there! No no no.

Total CF. They won’t own it yet!

When we were young and green we allowed our buyers access a few days before completion. They were carrying out alterations in the kitchen. Result a hell of a mess and no water for 24 hrs before we moved. Don't do it.

Okay perfect - thank you to all for your responses!

You've confirmed what was running through my head, and I'll go back to the estate agents with a simple "that doesn't work for us".

Chances are that I won't be in the property, by then (🤞🏻) but my now ex will still be there up until completion.

Definitely don't do it. Plus I decorated an entire house with small children/toddlers around. It's hardly impossible.

Hell no!

That's a really bizarre request, and a red flag. If they want to get in early, see if you could complete early. Your solicitor won't like the sound of this, and will advise you to decline.
The EA will know it's strange too.
What do you have to lose by turning them down?

Absolutely not. Wait until you have their money in your account on completion day. Definitely CFs or worse.

We exchanged today, complete on the 2nd Aug but will be out by end of next week so the buyers can have keys if they want.
Its just a request and no need for you to say yes if it doesn't suit. Don't ask don’t get!

If they need to be in before the current completion date, offer to complete early

Unless that means you pay an early redemption fee, there is no reason they can’t bring it forward if they want the benefit of being able to access the house and start making alterations

They want you to move out of your house and them move in while it is still your house??
Nuts

Perfect thank you all!

One thing that came to mind was how are they planning on cleaning and decorating early, without the child, that can't be replicated and done once completed?

I would never move out before completion, or allow them access without you being there.

Years ago DH dealt with buyers of our house and they turned up late on a Friday, like 7pm, with the removal van and said the money was “stuck” with the solicitor and they had nowhere to stay. They wanted DH to give them the keys. I said no way. DH left papers for them to sign the phone contract into their name.

Months later we got final reminders from Talk Talk. Apparently they had been moving frequently after running up huge phone bills and not paying.

Until the sale is completed it’s your home. Once the sale is completed you move out because it’s been sold. Then the buyers do whatever they want or need to do.

Extremely CF and entitled, tell them no chance!!

Nope, not a chance

I'm not selling but buying and I'd never ask to do that - they can do the work and decorating when they move in - LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE DO - even with a 3 year old which isn't an excuse really...they're not the only one with a 3 year old in the world

...do they not understand what exchange and completion are? If the dates are an issue can they ask to bring completion forward, do a same day??

What are they smoking!!!!!