Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Asking to move furniture in after exchange but before completion

94 replies

worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 22:32

Would it be cheeky asking our vendor if we're able to start moving things into the property once we've exchanged on it but before completion? FWIW the house is empty and I'd like to give it a good clean before we properly move in. We have toddler twins and I can't imagine what moving in day will look like otherwise... obviously we'd have all insurances in place to protect ourselves.

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 22:33

(New property is a 10 minute drive away if it helps)

OP posts:
Ducksallovertheplace · 07/08/2022 22:35

We’ve asked our vendor the same question. Like yours the property is empty. They are happy for us to clean the house in the week prior to completion and for us to store stuff in the garage. In exchange we have offered to clear some old furniture and junk for them.

Candleabra · 07/08/2022 22:41

As a vendor - now no way would I agree to this - sorry.
The house isn’t yours, and you can’t insure it.
No solicitor would endorse this either.

Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 22:42

Ah, so not a completely ridiculous idea then! We have so many things for the twins and I'd really like to get their bedroom and wardrobes sorted so that we're not constantly looking for things once we officially move in. Our vendors come across as quite grabby though so I can imagine if they can make money from us, they will :/ there's nothing to declutter as the house was recently renovated.

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 22:43

Candleabra · 07/08/2022 22:41

As a vendor - now no way would I agree to this - sorry.
The house isn’t yours, and you can’t insure it.
No solicitor would endorse this either.

Can I ask why you wouldn't? Also, buildings insurance would start from exchange and contents insurance would start alongside so what's the risk? Genuinely trying to understand. Also, after exchange, the only way forwards is to complete so no risk of pulling out from sale, etc. afterwards?

OP posts:
bridgetjonesmassivepants · 07/08/2022 22:46

I have let vendors do this in the past as apparently it was a 'dealbreaker'. However, you need to get your solicitor to get a legal document arranged, I think it's called key holding and you will have to arrange insurance.

I know it may be more convenient for you but until you have completed it's not your house! You will be very lucky if the people selling your house allow you to do this.

SafelySoftly · 07/08/2022 22:47

Well that’s not strictly correct. You don’t own it and I would not dream of letting the Buyer in unti they own it.

purpleme12 · 07/08/2022 22:54

I work in house insurance. You can't cover the contents till you've completed. The buildings, yes, but the contents can only be covered when you've completed

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 07/08/2022 22:57

You don’t own the property yet op - what if you damaged something or there was an accident/ who would be liable?

fakenamefornow · 07/08/2022 22:58

If I was the vendor, I'd let you.

Candleabra · 07/08/2022 23:01

worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 22:43

Can I ask why you wouldn't? Also, buildings insurance would start from exchange and contents insurance would start alongside so what's the risk? Genuinely trying to understand. Also, after exchange, the only way forwards is to complete so no risk of pulling out from sale, etc. afterwards?

Show quote history

I wouldn’t for the reasons i stated.
It’s not legally your house until completion. You could pull out. You could damage it.

I can see why you want to, and I’d be sympathetic, but I still wouldn’t agree. Until the sale completes and the money lands in the solicitors account you can’t have the keys - and no solicitor/estate agent should be advising you otherwise.

WinterMusings · 07/08/2022 23:02

In what way are the vendors grabby??

why do you think having twins makes any difference?

Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:03

purpleme12 · 07/08/2022 22:54

I work in house insurance. You can't cover the contents till you've completed. The buildings, yes, but the contents can only be covered when you've completed

Thank you- that's really helpful. I'm thinking the twins beds (fully made up) and the majority of their clothes in cupboards) and perhaps a few toys to keep them occupied. So nothing majorly expensive like costly gadgets, etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:05

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 07/08/2022 22:57

You don’t own the property yet op - what if you damaged something or there was an accident/ who would be liable?

We don't intend on living in the house post-exchange/pre-completion. Just moving a few bits in. If anything went wrong before completion- burst water pipe, break in, etc. then surely the insurance would cover that? But those things could also happen if we'd wait until completion day so I'm genuinely not sure what the issue would be.

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:07

WinterMusings · 07/08/2022 23:02

In what way are the vendors grabby??

why do you think having twins makes any difference?

Because life is chaotic and I'm exhausted all the time. I'd like to make a very stressful experience less stressful for myself!

OP posts:
MintJulia · 07/08/2022 23:07

My last purchasers said they wanted to store some things on my patio, which I didn't mind.

The things turned up, along with two builders with wheel barrows and pickaxes. The purchaser had instructed them to start digging foundations for an extension ,before completion.

I threw the builders out of the garden, had to threaten them with the police and a charge of criminal damage, and ignored the purchaser who then tried to ring me every 20 minutes for the rest of the day.

The purchasers were an elderly couple. If either of them had been taken ill before completion, I'd have been stuck trying to remarket a house with their ground works. Some people are unbelievably entitled and arrogant.

UrsulaPandress · 07/08/2022 23:07

No way would I allow this.

it ain’t yours until you pay for it.

Candleabra · 07/08/2022 23:07

worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:03

Thank you- that's really helpful. I'm thinking the twins beds (fully made up) and the majority of their clothes in cupboards) and perhaps a few toys to keep them occupied. So nothing majorly expensive like costly gadgets, etc.

Show quote history

But why can’t you move this stuff in on the day?
You generally complete around lunchtime, move the stuff in. Focus on the things that have to be sorted on moving day: cleaning, beds made, curtains up, something to eat etc…
Its just what everyone does.

Could someone look after the twins on moving day?

Johnnysgirl · 07/08/2022 23:08

But those things could also happen if we'd wait until completion day so I'm genuinely not sure what the issue would be
After completion you'd own the property Confused. You can't insure the contents until you do.

Bunce1 · 07/08/2022 23:09

You can ask! You’re reasons seem
benign enough but if I was the vendor I would say no way.

Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:11

MintJulia · 07/08/2022 23:07

My last purchasers said they wanted to store some things on my patio, which I didn't mind.

The things turned up, along with two builders with wheel barrows and pickaxes. The purchaser had instructed them to start digging foundations for an extension ,before completion.

I threw the builders out of the garden, had to threaten them with the police and a charge of criminal damage, and ignored the purchaser who then tried to ring me every 20 minutes for the rest of the day.

The purchasers were an elderly couple. If either of them had been taken ill before completion, I'd have been stuck trying to remarket a house with their ground works. Some people are unbelievably entitled and arrogant.

Woah- that sounds horrendous. I'm so sorry that happened to you. But we have no intention of doing anything like that- not even using the loo/making ourselves a brew so upping water usage/electricity costs- other than leaving things ready for the children in their room.

OP posts:
LemonSwan · 07/08/2022 23:13

Yes we did it. Just asked the vendor directly. Kept the solicitors and EA out of it. Was super helpful!

Obviously we didn’t take electronics/valuables until the last day. But large pieces of furniture could be moved about and assembled in advance and that was just wonderful. Walking in and just unpacking your stuff. Like being on a holiday.

Original poster
worriedworriedworriedworried · 07/08/2022 23:18

LemonSwan · 07/08/2022 23:13

Yes we did it. Just asked the vendor directly. Kept the solicitors and EA out of it. Was super helpful!

Obviously we didn’t take electronics/valuables until the last day. But large pieces of furniture could be moved about and assembled in advance and that was just wonderful. Walking in and just unpacking your stuff. Like being on a holiday.

This is what I'm hoping for. We've a couple of weddings taking place in the next few weeks and then the twins birthday after those and I'm tying myself in knots wondering how I'll (husband is useless in stressful situations and will likely take himself off somewhere for a mundane task that'll take all day- he's neurodiverse so I'm used to this) manage organising everything on my own.

OP posts:
NrlySp · 07/08/2022 23:23

No, mainly because on general the legal arrangements are there for a reason. I’d have someone to look after the twins for the day. Or arrange for the movers to unpack the twins rooms/put beds together. Not the whole house just certain items. Whichever was the most cost effective.
It protects you as well as the twins. If they sleep on a mattress for one night it’s not the end of the world.

CrapBucket · 07/08/2022 23:24

Just get proper removals people and it will be fine. I would not let a buyer put anything in a house I was selling until it had completed and wasn't mine any more!