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Original poster

Buyers want access to measure up

153 replies

CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 14:34

Hi there, I’m not sure what is acceptable when it comes to selling our property.

We have sale agreed and are going through the legal aspects of the sale.

2 things that have come up:

  • the buyer wanted our email to contact us directly if they have any questions
  • the buyer wants access “for a couple of hours” to measure up and show it off to their families.

My partner doesn’t mind this. But I do. They have have had 2 viewings, one of which was after the sale agreed.

They have DP’s email and did ask him directly a 2nd time to see the property the week we are packing up. Even though we said no to the agent already.They want the couple of hours the week we are packing up, and also juggling WFH.

We are moving out and the property and it will be left vacant for maybe 2 months.
DP suggested we give them access after we leave, but I don’t want them knowing it’s vacant. Am I being unfair? Does anyone have any experience?

Note we are not nearby once we leave, so we can only rely on agent to manage access.

any advice? Is it ok to let them in? Am I being mean saying no?

OP posts:
JTro · 10/11/2022 14:50

a couple of hours to measure up? what they are going to measure for all this time???? all measurements should be on the property plan done by EA

itmustbemyage · 10/11/2022 14:50

We recently sold MIL’s house no one was actually living in it, so someone had to go there for viewings etc. Had lots of time wasters as it’s a particular type of property that would be perfect for the right folk. Got a good offer from a nice family, they had sold theirs and were in rented accommodation so good to go. They asked for access for measuring and for carpet folk to come and measure, we said yes as we felt if they were going to the bother of ordering goods and getting measured for carpets ( the carpets had a few weeks order time) that they would be motivated buyers and wouldn’t piss about at the last minute trying to drop their offer etc. We offered them a time to come when we were out there anyway clearing stuff out of the house, they came, were respectful and when it came to it the final legal stuff went through without a hitch. Perfect outcome for all, we just had to be a little accommodating.

Stag82 · 10/11/2022 14:54

When I bought my first house they let me in to measure up for my couch.

for my now house they let me back to show my children once the sale was agreed. The estate agent did this

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 14:57

Yes the wording was a couple of hours to measure and show it to family who are visiting on a specific week.

I think it’s the showing it off that has irked me.

I do get measuring up, but the showing it to family for a couple of hours has annoyed me. Particularly when we already said no as the timing was bad (packing up, moving out and also WFH that week)

DP is going to say no to the week we are there (and the week they show off to family) and give them a week to choose a day to visit with agent supervision to measure up. Exchange is about 8 weeks away, so anything could happen, I want to be helpful and not obstructive..

OP posts:
RM2013 · 10/11/2022 15:03

I guess there are 2 ways of looking at it. Initial viewings can sometimes be quite rushed and I think it’s treasonable to ask for a second viewing (which I think you said they already had) - they could haven’t measured up then. Don’t see how they would need 2hrs to measure up?
we offered on the house we are buying back in aug but will wait until we are in to have another look. Our teens haven’t seen the house and are desperate to see but they’ve had to make do with looking at the online pics on rightmove 🤣🤣

I think I’d have been a little annoyed too

RedWingBoots · 10/11/2022 15:05

the buyer wanted our email to contact us directly if they have any questions

No. As they will contact you to moan once you sold the house to them.

One of my friends did this and her vendors complained about an immersion heater not working which they should have checked before buying. She was told by everyone to ignore them.

If they want to contact you they can do it via the estate agent or by putting a note through your door with their phone number, then when you phone them withhold your own phone number.

the buyer wants access “for a couple of hours” to measure up and show it off to their families

Allow the buyer access for these but not for a couple of hours and at different times.

So they can show their families on one day for about 45 minutes and come back to measure on a different day.

doodleygirl · 10/11/2022 15:07

I really don’t understand your attitude, it’s so unhelpful. My DD is selling and buying she has been to measure her new house and likewise her buyers. I have no idea why this would be an issue.

Ihavekids · 10/11/2022 15:10

Why ever not?
These people are making a serious financial commitment buying your house. They want to see it! And show it off! In your position I'd let them visit again at a convenient for me time, and I'd be there to answer any questions.
I wouldn't want them viewing an empty property, houses look sad when not filled and with no one taking care of them. Hope you've got unoccupied insurance for the couple of months it'll be empty and please get agent to check if often.
I really don't understand your reluctance here and I'm slightly suspicious you're hiding something. They're about to give you hundreds of thousands of £, let them take a look at it ffs!

Reallybadidea · 10/11/2022 15:12

We said after exchange only. And they were warned that it would be a mess because of packing.

RidingMyBike · 10/11/2022 15:14

Have all the people who'll be living in it seen it already? I'd allow a viewing for that - we asked for a second viewing so we could show DD the house once our offer was accepted. If they just want to show their granny and Auntie Mabel then they can easily wait until they own it.

If they're genuinely measuring up then they'll have someone from the carpet or flooring place who'll come in with a laser measuring thing and who might need an hour or two. That would allow them to order carpets in time for completion. If they just want to check their sofa will get into the living room they don't need two hours.

LibertyLily · 10/11/2022 15:16

I'd be amenable personally for the sake of good relations.

When we were selling a previous (very unique) house back in 2011 our buyers asked (at their second viewing when they stated their intention to offer) if we could exchange contact details and we agreed. They did take the piss a little by texting to ask if we'd sell certain items and if we'd measure odd recesses etc, but otherwise all was fine. Tbh, I think between us we managed to hold things together when the chain looked in danger of collapse.

They also asked for additional viewings - one for their teenager DC who hadn't been to the first viewing. They were combining this with looking over the local secondary school as they were moving from outside the area. Another viewing for her parents who were topping up their deposit to buy this more expensive house. And yet another to discuss a balls-up made by our EA in relation to our expensive range cooker and a rayburn 🙄 So five viewings in all!

We agreed to all these additional viewings despite the slight inconvenience and were delighted when - thanks to their determination to be completed asap - the sale went through in eight weeks which made all the hassle worthwhile!

hesmatthancockgethimoutofthere · 10/11/2022 15:21

If they wanted to measure for curtains and furniture that's one thing.

It's still your house though so you don't have their friends and family round! They can look at the estate agent's details!

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:24

Some clarifications.

Absolutely nothing to hide. I’m happy for them to measure but not take over our house for a few hours to show off to family members.

It is still our home until it’s not and I don’t want people in like that showing it off to a bunch of family members. I equally don’t want that to be while I’m in my last few days in the house, 2 months (approx) before exchange or completing. They asked to delay completion until after Christmas for further clarification. But I doubt it would have been realistic to complete before.

They now have DP’s email, his decision. But I would prefer it was via agent too.

OP posts:
Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:25

Also there is no chain here.

OP posts:
Porridgeislife · 10/11/2022 15:29

We asked for a viewing to show our parents who live overseas (long haul flight).

Vendor wasn’t keen but I was fairly pushy about it. We were about to pay them a ton of money so it was the least they could do.

Porridgeislife · 10/11/2022 15:30

To clarify, by the time we completed said parents would no longer be in the country so it wasn’t possible to wait.

Chesterdrawsseriously · 10/11/2022 15:33

Personally I’d allow this, it’s a major purchase, and I understand their need.

what I don’t understand is your upset, especially if it’s when the house is vacant. Are you unhappy about moving`? The comment about it being your home etc make it seem you resent them. But it shouldn’t be them that you resent. They have done nothing wrong other than buy what you’re selling. Resent whatever is causing you to be so unhappy about moving/

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:38

I don’t resent them at all.

I see the purchase for what it is, a sale.
its nothing personal against them, I have not met them. It’s a transaction, albeit a significant one.

There is no obligation for us to have those viewings. It’s our house until it’s no longer and we complete in 2 months time.
They have seen the properly (all future tenants) before and once after sale agreed.

I’m not keen on the direct contact personally but DP is happy so fair enough.

there is a 3D demo and detailed floor plans.

It’s only a few years old, everything is still quite fresh.

OP posts:
3peassuit · 10/11/2022 15:39

It’s not unreasonable of them to ask and I personally would allow it. Your choice, of course.

Coolyule · 10/11/2022 15:40

We went again to measure up our new house and we let our buyers into ours as wel as their carpet man. But I wouldn’t have liked them to come in with family to show the house off

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:41

We are allowing the measure with agent supervision when we have moved out.

But the family coming over for a couple of hours within days before we move out is not something we wanted to do and said no.

OP posts:
Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:44

My reading from this is - measuring up fine and ensuring all occupants have seen house is fine. (We are facilitating)

The family show off for a couple of hours is not something we need to agree to. (Not facilitating)

Them having our email; mixed opinions. (Well they have it now and Hopefully they don’t contact unless too often)

OP posts:
Mercurial123 · 10/11/2022 15:45

Maybe they are excited about buying your house and want their relatives to see their new home. I can't see an issue, it wouldn't bother me.

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:45

*us not unless

OP posts:
Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 15:47

Out of interest, if we did allow the family visit for the few hours, who would need to be there?
Agent, or us? Surely we don’t leave them alone?

OP posts:
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