Buyer has entered property pre exchange and started renovation

[Iwishiwasjoking]

We were supposed to exchnage last week, then yesterday, now the proposal is exchange and complete tomorrow, all delays on buyers side told its mortgage company releasing fund.

property was vacated last week, but I removed the last items yesterday. Went back this evening to do a meter reading. Garden dug up, carpets ripped out, all windows open, lights on.

I am so shocked I have no idea what to do now …technically is burglary … but if this sale falls through I have a much less saleable house …

and before you ask how has he got in, there was a lockbox with keys in that the estate agents have been using … so either they’ve shared the code with him or he’s watched them and then let himself in.

Well . It is actually a what the fuck … however as long as everything goes through tomorrow I would leave it .

You buyer gets CF of the year award.

Yea I know what you mean … I think I’m more annoyed with the estate agent who’ve clearly allowed it to happen … think they should give me a discount??

Yup, I’m bizarrely calm about it because it is just so unbelievable

Let estate agent know
not their house
if you exchange asap you’ll let it go but say
if you don’t exchange then he is liable to trespass and damages
that should get him exchanging soon!

Not much you can do tonight - assuming you do exchange and complete tomorrow morning, then it is done.

If it doesn't go through, then speak to your solicitor would be the first step.

Then if you want to take pics - complain to EA after sale has gone through .

Blimey I really hope they exchange tomorrow for your sake!

Does the buyer know you saw all this? I’d be right on to the EA.

Definitely complain to the agent

I would inform your home insurance and also your solicitor.

Take photos, tonight. Hold up a newspaper so there can be no argument. It’s theft, criminal damage etc etc. No need to do anything with the photos if you exchange and completely tomorrow. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Take photos just in case. Once you’ve exchanged, let the EA know he’s not to be let back in before completing! Or you will inform your solicitor. The property is yours until completion

I rang the estate agents and told them straight away but I just got the receptionist (it was 6.30pm). Have emailed the relevant person already. I took loads of photos!

I have removed the keys from the lockbox so no one can get in now (unless he’s already had more cut!)

Wow. If the sale goes through then I suppose it’s all fine but it’s really staggering that they did that when they’re the cause of the delay. Why would they think it’s OK to start fucking about with someone else’s property? You might have vacated. It it’s yours and you could go back and stay anytime you wanted. Also they could really mess up your insurance if they start any renovations which cause problems with electrics or cause a fire when they’re there. And leaving all the lights on and running equipment or anything. When you’re still paying the bills… I would be so pissed. And petty enough to go back through the daily readings on the smart meter and have them pay for anything over the daily charge, even if it’s just £5.

Sounds like they are definitely keen to get in, but if they even look like dragging their heels tomorrow, I'd be tempted to threaten them with trespass and damage to property charges.

Home insurance and solicitors are good calls, but I'd also be tempted to go wild on the EA. By not keeping the lock box code, they've put your property at risk by who knows how many people. I'd certainly raise it, look at if it breeches contract, and consider reporting to the ombudsman if relevant (but it's late, and I'm grumpy. It's possible I'll think differently tomorrow)

Fuck! That's unbelievably bad.

Windows open…….mm
What are they up to
Wonder if they were planning to squat saying the windows had been left open.

Hope you’ve locked and shut everything and tbh I’d go back and have a look tonight.
Id also report the incident to the police….just in case!

All locked back up, lights off and everything secured. Garage has a load of their equipment in that they can’t get to now!

Technically that’s your equipment now😄

How did they know the place was vacant ? 😳 It’s astonishing the the EA have left the keys in situ. I’d be raging.

They did a pre exchange inspection - estate agent informed me.

I'd be selling or giving that away.

Were they in there when you arrived or had they actually left the place in that state?

Presumably you have a solicitor that you can speak to.