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Original poster

Buyer has entered property pre exchange and started renovation

548 replies

Iwishiwasjoking · 08/05/2024 21:30

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.

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 09/05/2024 08:03

itsgettingweird · 09/05/2024 07:43

I'd contact the estate agent of the buyer and tell them you went back and it looks like the house has been burgled and it's damaged.

That you are calling the police and it may delay the sale.

That'll put them in a position where they have to admit buyer entered before sale (which is breaking and theft) or leave them silent and worrying they are about to get arrested for breaking and entering.

Other than that as much as they are CF beyond belief I would continue with sale but be making a very concise complaint.

I’d be tempted to so this, tell a gent exchange can’t go ahead until police investigation is complete. They will have to tell buyers this. Back them into admitting it. And no absolutely do not pay the agent their fee!

Zonder · 09/05/2024 08:05

Strictlymad · 09/05/2024 08:03

I’d be tempted to so this, tell a gent exchange can’t go ahead until police investigation is complete. They will have to tell buyers this. Back them into admitting it. And no absolutely do not pay the agent their fee!

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Or they could not admit it and pull out, leaving the vendor stuffed. Best to express how concerned you are re what has happened but push for completion today.

mynewusername2023 · 09/05/2024 08:05

Wow I cannot believe the cheek. Hopefully everything goes through tomorrow.

Rosscameasdoody · 09/05/2024 08:06

justasking111 · 09/05/2024 08:00

Even if you exchange I would not let him back in, he'll have to wait for completion. He's only paying 10% today.

They’re exchanging and completing at the same time.

22mumsynet · 09/05/2024 08:07

Is it a simultaneous exchange and completion? He shouldn’t be there til after completion (he doesn’t own until completion just a contract to buy where remedy is forfeit of deposit) unless this has been pre agreed and given a licence to occupy. Issues for insurance etc. most importantly you don’t have the money until completion.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 09/05/2024 08:07

Rosscameasdoody · 09/05/2024 08:06

They’re exchanging and completing at the same time.

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I missed that but too. Need to work on my reading comprehension!

Horsemother · 09/05/2024 08:07

This reply has been deleted

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Rosscameasdoody · 09/05/2024 08:08

Strictlymad · 09/05/2024 08:03

I’d be tempted to so this, tell a gent exchange can’t go ahead until police investigation is complete. They will have to tell buyers this. Back them into admitting it. And no absolutely do not pay the agent their fee!

Show quote history

And if they pull out ? What then ?

ActualCannibalShiaLeBeouf · 09/05/2024 08:12

I wouldn't say nothing and hope it goes ahead because this is totally unacceptable whether it goes ahead or not. Estate agent needs to know this is unacceptable. Saying nothing will be letting them get away with being totally unprofessional and continue doing it.

ApolloandDaphne · 09/05/2024 08:12

God that's awful. I hope you exchange okay today.

MonsteraMama · 09/05/2024 08:13

Cheeky bastards! Fingers crossed for you this morning, hope everything goes through ok.

Bollindger · 09/05/2024 08:13

Waiting to see what happens. Good luck.

TomeTome · 09/05/2024 08:14

I’m interested to hear what your solicitor advises @Iwishiwasjoking . If there was one your mortgage holder will provide support (and should be informed)

MollsDolls · 09/05/2024 08:18

Following

LakieLady · 09/05/2024 08:19

I don't know who I'd be more annoyed with here, the CF buyers or the twat of an EA who gave them the code for the keysafe.

Some EA's will do anything to get a sale over the line. I'd like to think it's because they are acting in the vendor's best interests, but I bet it's because of the big fat commission on the fees they'll get. (And I say that as someone who was an EA for a couple of years in the 80's.)

There really needs to be better regulation of EAs imo. If there was, it would be a lot harder for buyers to pull this sort of shit.

MonsteraMama · 09/05/2024 08:19

Curiousto · 09/05/2024 07:34

Absolutely it is vindictive.

Karma is a bitch.

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Nah mate still doing this three years later is not karma, it's mental behaviour. You need to let it go. What if a child or dog goes bolting out the garage door you've opened and gets hit by a car? What if they've sold on and you're now just harassing a random innocent stranger?

Get a grip and move on.

Justhereforaibu1 · 09/05/2024 08:21

Gosh this is unbelievable! I hope it all goes through OK today, fingers crossed

Snugglemonkey · 09/05/2024 08:22

Curiousto · 09/05/2024 07:34

Absolutely it is vindictive.

Karma is a bitch.

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Vindictive is nothing to be proud of.

This is not karma, it is petty revenge, 3 years after the fact.

It is unhinged.

Highfivemum · 09/05/2024 08:22

That is terrible. Most def get a reduction on your estate agent fees when it goes through.
When I was pregnant with my first we were due to move to an empty house. We had permission once the exchange went through to go in clean up and put the heating on. Yes it shouldn’t happen but it was all done correctly and with owners permission. What your buyer has done is terrible

Viviennemary · 09/05/2024 08:23

Strictlymad · 09/05/2024 08:03

I’d be tempted to so this, tell a gent exchange can’t go ahead until police investigation is complete. They will have to tell buyers this. Back them into admitting it. And no absolutely do not pay the agent their fee!

Show quote history

I agree. They have caused you loads of hassle and stress. Carpets ripped up. That would be criminal damage. Wouldn't it.

BashfulClam · 09/05/2024 08:25

I’m so invested now!

LadyLapsang · 09/05/2024 08:25

Hopefully you complete today, but even if you do, I would pursue this legally (but after completion). I definitely wouldn’t be paying the EA the full fee and potentially, depending on the legal advice, no fee. The buyer may also have to give you recompense.

Isabella70 · 09/05/2024 08:26

This happened to us (admittedly about 30 years ago but...):

  1. It turned out that there was a standard the contract saying that the buyer could move in, with our permission, and set out a rent they had to pay. I would talk to you solicitor to see if this is still the case.
  2. We threatened the estate agent with court for allowing the keys to leave their control and they waived their fee.
RawBloomers · 09/05/2024 08:26

Viviennemary · 09/05/2024 08:23

I agree. They have caused you loads of hassle and stress. Carpets ripped up. That would be criminal damage. Wouldn't it.

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It wouldn’t be criminal damage if they thought they were okay doing it - e.g. if the estate agent had told them or given them the impression it was okay to get started - it would just be a civil matter.

AgathaX · 09/05/2024 08:27

Fingers crossed it goes through today. Unbelievably cheeky.

But Curiousto that is gobsmacking! Are you that unhinged generally?