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...

We moved from Devon to the Midlands. On our arrival (at mid day, as arranged) at our new bungalow they were still fannying about moving their stuff out. We had 3 children 1 a toddler and we had to sit outside in a van with children dogs and cats whilst they leisurely moved their stuff. It was beyond unreasonable to be honest. We finally got in around 4.30 in the dark. Absolute cfery.
Don't be a cf it's just not fair.

Moved house while pregnant in the 80s and when we arrived they had hardly moved a thing and were moving stuff in a little van themselves. They still had washing in the washer and seemed to have no sense of urgency at all. It was so stressful.

DP went to help a mate move house once and when he got their with the hired truck, it was a bit like this. There was still wet washing in the washing machine. He was scarred by that.

You have to be taking the piss!?!

The new owners aren’t a fucking storage facility for your sister’s crap. That’s truly scummy, entitled behaviour.

You have a time to be out, it's not at the stroke if midnight. Most people I know get the movers ordered for 10am they load your stuff and sit and wait till completion, usually around 12noon then you go to estate agents get the keys and move.

OMG they are unbelievable!!
Please try to get through to her. They need to be out by whatever time they agreed with the new owners. I would say midday is reasonable. If they aren't out in time they could end up with their stuff getting damaged or being sued to repay the costs of removing it. Have they never moved house before??

I was still moving out when the new owners arrived. I had put everything in the front room and was all packed, but I had underestimated how many van trips it would take. If you do that to make it as easy for the new owners to move in most of their stuff they will hopefully be understanding. Also you could tell your solicitor not to complete til 1pm which is normal.

When we arrived at our house, the previous owners were still packing and the eldest son was in the shower. Or should I say MY shower.

The contract they signed should have a time in it. Our last one was 2pm. You need to be out by then (and the solicitors should have moved the money by then).

soft play 😩
you need to tell her not today

You will become a trespasser in someone else's home.

If you live near and get on well usually I would personally turn up to sit through soft play and send her home to work while you babysit kids with a coffee in soft play

She can ring round removals and they can take it away and put it in storage for her .

Not your problem !

Leave her to sort her own shit out, it won't impact you unless you let it. They've had plenty of time to sort things out, how do they think other people manage?

I was going to suggest this but based on the sisters attitude so far I can imagine her lounging around and using these couple of hours as an excuse to have a rest.

But aren't you busy going for a woodland walk?

They have to be out. That's what completion is.

This happened to someone I know. They arrived at their new house. Completion had happened, previous owners still were packing, they told them unless they were out within a couple of hours the locks would be changed and they would be charged £1000 cash upfront to get access again. Old owners called police. Police said nothing they can do. Civil matter. They changed the locks and the old owners had to pay to get their stuff out.

my friends weren’t moving their stuff in until the next day but the old owners had done very little. No van to move stuff had been arranged etc. so good will was limited. There was no way they would be out that day not even the next.

After your update re:soft play I would wash my hands of it.

They can invoice you the price of a skip and clearance.

I have little goodwill as I moved myself a few months ago with a small baby and toddler and no offers of help from her. And this sort of unprepared and dramatic behaviour is very characteristic of her and it wears thin over the years.

What should you be doing? Calling in help from everyone and anyone to pack boxes. Offer to stand them pizza or something for dinner. You cannot still be packing when completion goes through.

By tomorrow morning all that should be still to pack is a kettle and mug for coffee and your toohbrush.

Hasn't she hired removals?

I'd just block her number for the next 48 hours tbh

This has happened to us. It’s annoying and I’d be really irritated but ultimately most people won’t be dumping your stuff, calling the council or shouting. They’ll either wait until you are done or put stuff in around you. Most people in real life accept people and situations that are imperfect with a moan and a grumble rather than nuclear options.