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Original poster

buyer wants to move stuff in after exchange

42 replies

Frazzled2207 · 21/03/2022 16:32

So we finally exchanged today and are completing next week. Yey!

Due in part to useless agents, have struck up friendly relationship with our buyer. Happened to text her today to say you'll be dead impressed with how well we've cleared out the cellar.

Now she has texted and asked if she can bring stuff round this week to put in the cellar. Our cellar is empty and have no real practical concerns, but it's not really normal to start moving in before you've moved is it. I mean it hasn't occured to us to ask our sellers if we can put stuff in their house ahead of completion even if the house is empty. I suspect there are insurance, and other implications to think about. What is driving this I think is that she is moving with 'a van' and family members while we are paying professional movers. She has previously said she is worried about having to empty the van and return them by 5.30pm on moving day. As there are four house moves in the chain then I'd be worried about this too but it's not really my problem is it.

Any words of wisdom and if it's an easy 'no' then how can I explain this without offending her.

OP posts:
Wouldntitbenicetobeinyourshoes · 21/03/2022 16:33

No, don’t do it.
The insurance aspect alone would be reason enough.

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/03/2022 16:33

No. Its not hers until completion.
She can hire a storage unit.

sarahc336 · 21/03/2022 16:35

No, what if she turned round and suggested you'd damaged her stuff or tried to put a claim in etc. i feel it's just not a good idea op x

AdviceOnLife · 21/03/2022 16:36

I wouldn't either.
If you don't know how to say no, blame your solicitor. Just say you gave them a quick call to check this is okay and they said absolutely not due to insurance.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 21/03/2022 16:38

@AdviceOnLife

I wouldn't either. If you don't know how to say no, blame your solicitor. Just say you gave them a quick call to check this is okay and they said absolutely not due to insurance.
like this one. Thanks. I mean if she put something flammable in there and everything went up in smoke we wouldn't have an insurance leg to stand on would we.

to be fair to her, she's a fairly naive FTB.

OP posts:
ukborn · 21/03/2022 20:01

She is obliged to get insurance on the property once she's exchanged, but still I wouldn't do it.

bumbl3 · 21/03/2022 20:08

It's not normal, though it sounds like her intentions are not dodgy, she's just a bit naive.

On insurance, it's the buyer's obligation to buy buildings insurance (if mortgaged) from the date of the exchange. Her solicitor will also have advised contents insurance from the same date. So if anything happens, it's on her. I suppose she could turn around and accuse you of having damaged or stolen her things, but it doesn't sound like that's what she's going for.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 21/03/2022 20:10

@ukborn

She is obliged to get insurance on the property once she's exchanged, but still I wouldn't do it.
She’s obliged to get buildings insurance but not necessarily contents
OP posts:
Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 21/03/2022 20:18

@bumbl3
Agree entirely I don’t think she has dodgy intentions it’s just something that came to her head rather than a master plan she’s been plotting.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 21/03/2022 20:25

It's probably innocent but I wouldn't. You would.be responsible for her stuff, insurance wise it could be a nightmare if you happened to get burgled or have a fire god forbid. Any damage etc. It's nice she's excited but I just wouldn't.

FinallyHere · 21/03/2022 20:53

This is no benefit to you and potentially a lot of risk. Absolute best case for you, nothing bad happens.

Absolutely say sorry, your solicitor has advised against.

TatianaBis · 21/03/2022 21:00

I mean it’s not a good idea. But I once allowed a buyer to move his trees into the garden between exchange and completion. I didn’t stand to lose anything from it.

BeanStew22 · 23/03/2022 20:06

@AdviceOnLife

I wouldn't either. If you don't know how to say no, blame your solicitor. Just say you gave them a quick call to check this is okay and they said absolutely not due to insurance.
This. I was/am friendly with my buyers (we even did a private sale). They wanted to move some furniture they were buying secondhand directly to my place but I just said ‘solicitor says no’ & that was fine
pilates · 23/03/2022 22:03

No, sorry my solicitor has advised me not to

Heronwatcher · 25/03/2022 06:58

I don’t think I’d have a massive issue with this as long as you told her in writing that if anything is damaged or lost you won’t be accepting any liability. There’s no real risk to you if you’re clear about that. How long is it to completion?

DoubleTweenQueen · 25/03/2022 07:09

So how will she move stuff into your house if she doesn't have the van until moving day?
If it's by car, can't she also do that later on moving day if she's run out of time with the van?
Surely she won't have a huge amount of stuff/furniture if a ftb, so should have enough time on moving day? If not, can't she hire the van for longer?
So many questions

What everyone else has said - no!

catwithflowers · 25/03/2022 07:21

We have just moved and the vendors kindly allowed us to bring lots of pots and plants into the garden between exchange and completion. They had already moved out into rental. Very different to actually moving furniture into the house though.

Petronus · 25/03/2022 07:24

You don’t worry about offending her, you just say no. It’s not a normal request. She’s exchanged now so is bound to buy the house, so it’s not like you need to placate her.

Evasmissingletter · 25/03/2022 08:02

We allowed buyers to leave pots in the garden but not anything in the house

Whingasaurus · 25/03/2022 08:08

We moved the shed and some stuff into the carport in the week before moving in but our new house was empty and the owners said it was fine. Is the cellar access through your house if so I'd say no if not I'd say OK for one time slot so they weren't coming and going

autumnboys · 25/03/2022 08:09

We allowed this when we sold our first house, nearly 20 years ago. It was okay, though I spent moving day steering the moving team away from it.

I don’t know if I’d allow it now.

Dimondsareforever · 25/03/2022 08:11

Just say your solicitors advise you don’t due to insurance etc …

Merrymouse · 25/03/2022 08:33

Potentially it will also be a big hassle when she actually moves the stuff into the cellar. It could be one of those favours that appears manageable and then grows.

johnd2 · 25/03/2022 09:57

I would say you're the best judge of it, listen to your own feelings. Yes the legal point of view is obviously that it's safer not to, but we are all human beings.
If you're not comfortable with it then that's fine just say so. You don't need an excuse!
Nothing will go wrong with fire/theft compared with any other time, but it's mostlyt the inconvenience you have to factor.

Orchidsonthetable · 25/03/2022 10:00

I think as long as your solicitor draws up an agreement saying the items are not your responsibility and any insurance etc is at her expense then I’d be fine with it.

Alternatively I’d just say I’d love to but my solicitor says no.too risky for both of us,

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