Request from buyer

[drinkwithanumbrellainit]

Hello wise mumsnetters. Would really appreciate some other perspectives on this, as can't decide if reasonable or not.

While originally aiming to all move end of Aug, this has been delayed by 2 weeks due to the seller at the top of the chain having a medical situation which can't be postponed.

Our buyers are in rented, which will run out before this date.

They have come back to our estate agent saying they either need to complete a week earlier (not possible for the reason above) or they need to move their stuff into ours the weekend before completion. They don't have much, so we'd be talking a few bags and boxes that we could stick in the loft.

What are your thoughts on the above? Not sure how it all works legally /insurance wise.

They've also mentioned that if the completion date pushes back by more than a day for any reason, then they will need to push the whole move back by a month. Which is making me really nervous about self isolation/ Covid. However given we will have exchanged by that point are they allowed to move the date if the rest of the chain don't agree?

Will obviously be asking my solicitor all of this too, but as we can't ask til the weekend is over was hoping someone might have experience on either of the above please.

No idea of legalities but I'd be tempted to pay for a storage unit for a couple of weeks do that there can be no accusations of damaging their goods. I don't know why they can't sort that out themselves though.

@everythingcrossed

No idea of legalities but I'd be tempted to pay for a storage unit for a couple of weeks do that there can be no accusations of damaging their goods. I don't know why they can't sort that out themselves though.

I wouldn't offer to pay for that.

OP they can't store anything in your house, it's still your house. If they need storage it's up to them to organise and rent a storage unit.

Thanks @everything. We had wondered the same. I think they ideally want it with us to save moving twice but we do have a storage place close.

No I wouldn't agree to them storing stuff. It sucks that the chain is held up but it's not your fault. They'll have to figure out alternative storage.

I think they should use a storage unit but could the chain split the cost of it as a gesture? Hard with rentals as extending a rental by a month can cost £££.

If it’s delayed by a day or so can’t they stay in a hotel?

They will be in a hotel for a week @may, but still need to store their stuff. It is a bad situation for them. Thanks everyone. I'll think offering a bit of cash to cover a couple of week storage/man in a van might be a solution if they will consider it.

I don't understand why you're paying for their storage unit. Delays happen in chains.

As it's not much stuff, and you have space, I would agree to this.

Honestly @muma if we do offer it would be a bit of a gesture given they are taking the hit of hotel costs and if we decide not to take the risk of storing their stuff. Storage isn't that expensive and if it moves us all on...

If it's just a few bits and bobs I'd look after it

It will be more hassle than you think. Short term storage is available.

As FTB we ended up sleeping on someone's floor on an air bed for 6 weeks whilst the flat we had been renting sat empty, sold and waiting to complete. A bit of goodwill/flexibility from our landlord would have helped us hugely. Not an identical situation, but I would store the stuff if you have the room. It might not be your fault things are held up but trying to move out of rented into your first home can be incredibly stressful and it would be kind to help them.

For goodness sakes storage will be a few hundred max. If you store their stuff and something gets damaged or goes missing or the sale doesn't go through - you are just asking for issues. Also an insurance issue.
I just bought an empty house - owners had been renting it out as they were living abroad. I was staying in one holiday let after another. It never occurred to me to ask to store my stuff there - I paid for storage.

I don't think you should feel obliged to store their stuff, though if you decide to out of goodwill, I don't think they'd actually have any legal claim to it while technically in your possession (this is my understanding, though it may be incorrect, so it would be good if someone more knowledgeable could confirm). So I think legally speaking they might be taking more of a risk than you. Having said that, you don't know what they'd be storing, and I'd be a little worried about storing, say, bedding that might contain bedbugs or carpet beetles, which could transfer to your things. Perhaps that's too unlikely to be worth worrying about, but it is something I would probably worry about in your position (but I worry about everything)!

My father encountered a similar situation when selling his late mother's house, and I know he allowed the buyers to leave their things at the house a week before moving in, and there were no problems. As far as he was concerned, it was a small thing he could do to make their lives a bit easier at a very stressful time. But every situation is different, so I wouldn't feel any guilt if you'd rather not. If they haven't got mountains of stuff to move, then it shouldn't be too much hassle for them to find and pay for alternative storage for a week.

"They've also mentioned that if the completion date pushes back by more than a day for any reason, then they will need to push the whole move back by a month. Which is making me really nervous about self isolation/ Covid. However given we will have exchanged by that point are they allowed to move the date if the rest of the chain don't agree?"

You all agree a completion date at exchange. So the date won't be able to move a day once you've exchanged. Essentially you'll be locked in to either the earlier date or a negotiated later date (I'm guessing this might link to them needing to rent for another full month and not wanting to overlap rent/mortgage payments?)

As for storage - we moved recently and as we were in the middle of the chain paid for storage for a few weeks to help with the move and mean we only had to fill one van on moving day. It was £13 a week or something.

Their problems are their problems fgs. They surely have a friend who could take in 'a few bags' of stuff?

They are trying to put you under pressure and bully. Don't give them money or help, they will take the absolute piss.

Just tell them you hope they find a solution and wish them luck for the move.

Maybe you could offer to pay half of a storage unit as a gesture of good will?

Thanks again. A real mix of views. Still not decided, will see what our solicitor says tomorrow. Must admit part of me is kicking back at the way it was phrased which probably isn't fair. It was almost posed as an ultimatum- unless they store our stuff we wont be able manage that weekend.

On the completion element, does anyone know what happens if someone is ill/ isolating with Covid on that date? I know it is unlikely, but worried if it does happen they may then try and push back by another month?

I wouldn’t do it and especially not if you haven’t exchanged yet. Storage is a few hundred pounds max. At most I would offer them a few hundred quid to pay for their own storage but this would be a goodwill gesture, unfortunately until the completion date is nailed down delays can happen any time and they sound naive.

They don't need to move out of their rental until they are ready (assuming it's a regular short hold tenancy) they can just inform their landlord they are staying out for a couple more weeks.

Anything could happen with their stuff in yours, it sounds easy yes but they can come back and say x and x is missing etc.
I also wouldn't be paying for their storage.
It's their problem, let them deal with it.

I'd pay for a storage unit. Do they still do first month for a £1?