Who decides when to complete?

[YouCanCallMeA1]

We're buying and selling in a very short chain. Our buyer (no kids) is living locally with her parents after selling her house in spring. The people we're buying from (grown up kids) are relocating for work and half the family is already living in rental accommodation waiting for the others to join.

Searches are all done, contracts are underway and survey reports for both properties are happening at the same time so should both be ready by the start of October.

I've got a hectic family with young children in primary school and special school, both parents working remotely full time, and we're moving 300 miles with no family around at either end to support. And pets. I'm panicking about having only a week or two to move and sort new schools/transport for SEND school etc which would be horribly disruptive during school term.

As the centre of the chain, can we influence the timescale more? Eg insist it happens during October half term, earliest?

You can say that's when you want to complete, they can agree or not. You can insist on a date but you risk others not agreeing and the chain breaking.

You have as much right to dictate the date as anyone else in the chain. I would put forward the date you want and your reasons why and see if the others will agree.You May end up needing to compromise a bit on your ideal date but it’s all a question of negotiation

Yes you can.

Best to start the conversation now, let them know your preferred timescale and also how much time you need in between exchange and completion.

Tell your solicitor what your needs are.

The EAs should be keeping up to date with the progress of the chain, tell yours and your vendors EAs what your needs are. and speak to buyers and vendors direct if you have that contact / relationship.

Don’t leave it until the day before exchange.