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.

😱

Very unusual.

I'd put the price they negotiated down because of the carpets back up as they've ripped them out!

It's a good time to play chicken 🐔

Have you told your solicitor yet, too?

They're up shit creek if the funds aren't released

I'd be worried NOT to get a call from the EA if the tradesmen can't get in - would they break in if they knew exchange and completion was going to happen today?

Op I hope the sale goes smoothly for you now and you receive some sort of compensation.

@Curiousto Wtf 👀, if what you say is true then your behaviour is un acceptable.

I know someone who had the agreement of the owner to start renovations (they were a builder buying to flip, owner knew) pre exchange.
they started work did some expensive parts of it and the seller sold to someone else

zero recourse for the builder just an expensive lesson

Gosh OP hope all goes through smoothly. Try not to be alarmed, it's obviously illegal and wrong but presumably just demonstrates how keen they are to get in and set up home.

I actually did this myself back in the 1980s, buying an apartment. The estate agent came round and found me having a new bathroom fitted, about a fortnight before completion! 😨 I can't remember how I had the keys, but I hadn't considered the legal aspects of it and thought it was all perfectly fine (the owner was abroad, I think). I was very young and stupid.

I cannot believe the EA facilitated them breaking in when there is a delay with the buyer's mortgage company releasing the funds! What if the delay continues until Monday? They're just going to wilfully keep ripping stuff out?!

Wonder if it's going to be a buy-to-let?

That's what landlords did up the road from me as it was used for parking.

Also would explain the speed

Totally shocking...hope all goes through ok so life isn't complicated for you. Well done for all your quick thinking.....

What previous tenants?

That's shocking behaviour. Some people are CFs!

Take photos then report to solicitor and EA tomorrow. If EA has given them key code early it will be there fault.

How could any sane person think that was acceptable behaviour? I hope everything goes through smoothly today OP. I would bite my tongue till it’s hopefully official then let rip at the EA.

OP I am in awe of their CFery and your calm quick thinking. Well done! I'd have lost my mind I think.

Well, no - because their argument will be “we wouldn’t have had to rip them out if they had been in good condition”

OP is at a disadvantage in a game of chicken, because no deposit has yet been paid and she can’t prove it was the potential buyers (others may know the code from viewings etc). She can hold the tools but that is not much help after carpets and garden have been messed up.

And I agree that the EA is in for a big complaint (and a terrible google review which I think would be very effective) about their professionalism once completion has gone through.

@Idontjetwashthefucker apologies, I did read OP posts, but only read that OP had surmised how access was gained but has not had it confirmed.

Hope everything goes ok with the exchange/completion today. I would complain to the EA even if it does go through. It's extremely unprofessional of them to give access to the keys before the house legally belongs to them. I'd also leave a review of the EA as this sort of information would be useful for prospective house sellers to know.

If it’s an old house it might be to replace (and widen) lead water pipe. We did this (after exchange!!). Or to lay broad band. Or some other service.

And the tools aren’t the buyers. They are the tradespeople’s. Who probably don’t have a clue about the buyers shenanigans and CFuckery

"I wouldn't say nothing.."

So you'd say something.....?

Blimey, that's CF in the extreme!

Bloody heck OP! I hope the exchange goes smoothly as it will make your day easier but I would certainly be putting a complaint into the EA.