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Original poster

Sellers delaying completion date

17 replies

Jellybaby1991 · 19/04/2023 16:36

We offered on a house in November under the condition that the sale had to complete in 6 months. We knew the sellers were looking for another property hence giving them that time. On all of the forms in the information pack the sellers have said that this sale is not reliant on another purchase and they could move out when needed even if they do not find somewhere to move to. We have been pushing our (terrible) conveyancer to get completion/exchange dates set in stone.
Skip forward to yesterday, suddenly the seller is in a chain and waiting for their purchase to be ready too (the people they are buying off have not even appointed a solicitor yet...). Where do we stand in terms of them now not meeting the conditions of our offer? What would you do in this situation? We have been VERY patient with them but we have not budgeted for renting any longer than next month (we are first-time buyers).

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 19/04/2023 16:40

That’s very frustrating
I would speak to your solicitor / conveyancer and see if you have any redress

rubyslippers · 19/04/2023 16:41

Unfortunately because of the nature of house buying it’s all very tenuous until contracts are exchanged

Mildura · 19/04/2023 17:21

rubyslippers · 19/04/2023 16:40

That’s very frustrating
I would speak to your solicitor / conveyancer and see if you have any redress

Unfortunately, as incredibly frustrating as a situation like this is, there is no redress at all.

mrsbyers · 19/04/2023 17:36

Tell them you are withdrawing your offer unless they cover the rental /
storage expenses incurred due to delays

EggInANest · 19/04/2023 17:38

Your options are limited. You can pull out, but that won’t really help you as it is unlikely that you can guarantee to exchange and move any faster. Unless you immediately find a no-chain not-waiting-for-probate property and get an offer accepted.

You could tell them that you will pull out unless they exchange and go into rented. They will not want you to pull out because then they risk losing their vendor.

KievLoverTwo · 19/04/2023 17:46

You can ask them to cover your rent from month six.

You can ask them to leave their home and rent themselves.

You can pull your offer. Seems they have already lied to you? Or maybe circumstances changed and it was easier not to fess up.

rainingsnoring · 19/04/2023 18:58

KievLoverTwo · 19/04/2023 17:46

You can ask them to cover your rent from month six.

You can ask them to leave their home and rent themselves.

You can pull your offer. Seems they have already lied to you? Or maybe circumstances changed and it was easier not to fess up.

This.
Would you consider pulling out if they don't reduce the price or cover your rent until they are ready to move? Prices have fallen in most areas since November with them dragging their heels so much.
It doesn't sound as if they have been honest with you.

Original poster
Jellybaby1991 · 20/04/2023 13:48

Update: Sellers have decided to pull out after their seller decided they did not want to sell, even though they assured us they didn't need an onward sale.

We are incredibly angry that they have strung us along and lied to us for 6 months only to drop us within two weeks of their agreed completion date. I've accepted two jobs in the new area and we are living out of boxes.

We are going to ask them to cover our losses but we won't hold our breath for them to do the right thing... Wish we lived in Scotland where there are protections against people doing this...

OP posts:
Sundaefraise · 20/04/2023 13:51

Jellybaby1991 · 20/04/2023 13:48

Update: Sellers have decided to pull out after their seller decided they did not want to sell, even though they assured us they didn't need an onward sale.

We are incredibly angry that they have strung us along and lied to us for 6 months only to drop us within two weeks of their agreed completion date. I've accepted two jobs in the new area and we are living out of boxes.

We are going to ask them to cover our losses but we won't hold our breath for them to do the right thing... Wish we lived in Scotland where there are protections against people doing this...

I'm so sorry. This happened to us, we had everything packed and the vendors decided they weren't moving, having gone silent for a few weeks before that. I still feel a bit annoyed about it now, as we sold our house in a rising market and ended up making our onward purchase months later when prices had gone up. It's crazy that people can just walk away and not even compensate you for money spent on surveys and solicitors.

instantpotnoodle · 20/04/2023 13:58

Jellybaby1991 · 20/04/2023 13:48

Update: Sellers have decided to pull out after their seller decided they did not want to sell, even though they assured us they didn't need an onward sale.

We are incredibly angry that they have strung us along and lied to us for 6 months only to drop us within two weeks of their agreed completion date. I've accepted two jobs in the new area and we are living out of boxes.

We are going to ask them to cover our losses but we won't hold our breath for them to do the right thing... Wish we lived in Scotland where there are protections against people doing this...

Exactly the same thing happened to us on day of exchange. We committed to our sale and ended up having to panic rent at the other end of the country.

instantpotnoodle · 20/04/2023 13:59

And there’s absolutely no legal redress. I wouldn’t even bother asking.

KievLoverTwo · 20/04/2023 14:16

Jellybaby1991 · 20/04/2023 13:48

Update: Sellers have decided to pull out after their seller decided they did not want to sell, even though they assured us they didn't need an onward sale.

We are incredibly angry that they have strung us along and lied to us for 6 months only to drop us within two weeks of their agreed completion date. I've accepted two jobs in the new area and we are living out of boxes.

We are going to ask them to cover our losses but we won't hold our breath for them to do the right thing... Wish we lived in Scotland where there are protections against people doing this...

Oh my god. I would be fuming too. I find the house buying process in England to be absolutely vile.

Your update has made me extra grateful that we are buying our 20-30 year home from friends; as the OH keeps reminding me 'remember, we don't have to deal with other people.'

It's really brought that message home again.

I hope a far more wonderful home is awaiting you.

Original poster
Jellybaby1991 · 20/04/2023 14:26

instantpotnoodle · 20/04/2023 13:59

And there’s absolutely no legal redress. I wouldn’t even bother asking.

Yeah, we understand this. We just hope they feel bad enough that they might do the right thing but given they couldn't even be honest in all of the legal paperwork we aren't hopeful 😒

OP posts:
Phgty · 20/04/2023 14:51

That's awful, OP.

You're doing as much as you can, hopefully they'll feel bad enough to compensate some costs but I'm very doubtful. The process is a nightmare.

rainingsnoring · 20/04/2023 17:37

That's absolutely rubbish OP. Sorry that you have been messed around. Rubbish system as you say.

Hopefully you will find something much better with reliable sellers and at a better price when you feel able to start looking again.

ForbiddenColour · 20/04/2023 17:52

Sorry to hear this OP.

Why does the English system take so long to move from offer through to completion? For a recent purchase in Scotland - from offer to completion - just under 5 weeks.

Amadeaa · 20/04/2023 17:56

Oh God, I was in exactly the same situation! I’m so sorry that this happened to you! But, after an incredibly frustrating year I completed on my dream property a couple of months ago and I count my lucky stars that my first intended purchase fell through because the property I ended up in is so much better! I hope the same will happen to you 🍀

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