What happens if I can't empty house by completion day?

[competion]

What happens if there are still things in the house when the new owner arrives? Going as fast as I can but unlikely to be done by tomorrow...

During one move we had, we arrived at the new property to discover that the vendor hadn’t moved anything and was using a Transit van as a removal van. Her ex had moved out some time before, but there was plenty of her stuff there.

It was mid afternoon, so DH and his BiL shifted everything into the garden. Fortunately for her, it was dry. She left a total mess, including an oven so filthy it couldn’t be used and everything had to be scrubbed and disinfected before we could contemplate living there.

I was very annoyed. I imagine your buyer will be too.

I'm going to make a wild assumption here and say that you've probably been flaky during the buying process and they're likely already sick of you so I wouldn't expect much grace on this.

Ok sorry this isn't me, it's about my Dsis.

Sent me basically that message earlier and I'm just fuming as they've been trying to sell this house for a year and finally they're out tomorrow and it's all 'not going to be done in time'.

And this is now impacting on our plans so I'm really pissed off.

Thanks for confirming that I'm not the only one who finds this situation highly annoying and unnecessary

With respect, your situation isn’t their problem- they could be moving with toddlers, heavily pregnant and having moved heaven and earth to be ready to go.

Unless you’ve been told differently, they need access to the house the moment it’s due.

You can ask the estate agent whether there are any circumstances that would help you- for example them not moving in until the next day. You can’t assume it’s the case.

How does the timing work though? They complete tomorrow, but is there a specific time they need to be out and hand keys over? Or do they get all of the day tomorrow too? (They're mid chain)

How is it impacting your plans? Have you bought the house or are you meant to be helping her move?

The general rule of thumb is 12pm. Many completions will go through before then but from a timing perspective everyone should work on the basis of being out the house they are selling by 12pm so everyone is in the same position.

Why does it impact on your plans?

Oh no, op. This is the pits, I'd be cross with your sister too. Did she think the elves would do it for her or did she engineer it so you felt obligated to help? Useless behaviour.

@Princessy

1 minute on MN to try to find out the consequences isn't going to make fuck all difference.

give over

If your buyer is moving straight in you have to be done. In what context do you think you'll run out of time? If it's in terms of packing things need to start being thrown in boxes. Yes it's great to have everything packed in certain boxes but the priority here needs to actually be out of the property. You have 24 hoursish from this point to be out. Sorry if I sound unsympathetic but unless you live in Buckingham palace I don't know how that won't be possible? Even if it means you pull an all nighter you need to get gone.
Are you doing the move yourself or do you have a removal company booked?

you work through the night until it's done

Why so nasty??

Are they moving to a new house? Everyone completes on the same day, so the timing is once their house is sold they need to have their stuff out and be out hanging around waiting for confirmation they can pick up the keys to their new house. This is why when you’re mid-chain you really need removals as it all needs to be gone in one trip.

How is she moving everything? Has she got removals with a lorry? We completed quite last minute so I basically stayed up all night packing to get it done!

Ah sorry cross post. Your sister needs to pull her finger out though, my post does apply but obviously directed at her not you.
If there is a chain her buyers will have nowhere to go other than their new house which your sister will no longer own by completion. She can't just decide she's not ready.

Are they actually move stuff at the minute? Have they paid for removers?

What are they actually doing?

This. She gets sued for thousands.

Also, the buyer’s removal men (if willing to do the extra work) chuck all her stuff in the garden and bill her buyer for doing so. He / she then passes the bill onto your DSis and sues her (and wins) if she doesn’t pay up.

Edited to reflect it’s the OP’s sister.

No they haven't got any lorries or vans yet to start loading into...

Apparently a mate is coming with his later to help...

They're off to soft play now.

I am not even joking.

I imagine the OP has been prevailed upon to go and help because her sister is being so annoyingly crap.

Ah, it's your DSis ... then you charge an hourly rate for any kids you have to muck in, bite your tongue today and berate her stupidity once she's out 😉

I'm packing for holidays weeks in advance 😅 no idea how some folk manage to be so laid back

I'm sure this message will come when they're back from soft play 😂

Where are they moving to though? If they’re buying somewhere they have to leave their house before the new one is ready.

If I got charged extra by my removal firm because they were sitting waiting for hours to do their job then I would be claiming that against the person who caused the delay

It should be that all properties are empty by noon. Then everyone’s possessions sit in the removal lorries until the completion goes through ( generally the removal chaps nip off and have their lunch and wait for you to ring and say you’ve got keys)then unload into the new property. Why is there no packing team? If there’s still stuff in the house the new owner can charge you an hourly rate for a man and van or their removal team to empty the house, It’s an absolute nightmare for everyone.

Most contracts have a time. I have the vague impression it’s 2 pm but I could be wrong.

I think otherwise, it’s as soon as the money is received.