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Buyer having post delivered

62 replies

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 20:54

We’ve just returned home from a weekend away and amongst our post is a letter with our buyers name on it.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it. We haven’t exchanged contracts yet, although we’re all ready to go there was an issue with a survey further up the chain last week so that person has just found a new property. Although everyone is keen to exchange the end of next month this of course isn’t guaranteed.

The letter is from Next and states “important documents enclosed”.
which also concerns me as they had asked to buy our sofa but we had to say no as it isn’t very old and we need it for the new house but we informed them it was from Next.
now I don’t know if this is just order confirmation or furniture or if they’ve potentially taken out finance on it which is a big worry as if we don’t complete by the end of the month their mortage offer expires and they will need to reapply.

obviously it could be neither. But still odd they’ve used our address as anything could happen or am I overthinking it?

OP posts:
hereismydog · 28/04/2025 20:57

Contact the sales coordinator dealing with your property and ask them to speak to the buyer ASAP, they probably have ordered something to be delivered when they think they will have moved in by, but it’s absolute CFery to do it without telling anyone!

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 21:02

hereismydog · 28/04/2025 20:57

Contact the sales coordinator dealing with your property and ask them to speak to the buyer ASAP, they probably have ordered something to be delivered when they think they will have moved in by, but it’s absolute CFery to do it without telling anyone!

Thank you. No they haven’t asked if they can arrange a delivery or anything. I will speak to our EA tomorrow! I just wasn’t sure it was the norm! I know I certainly wouldn’t change my address to our new one before we move in on anything!!

OP posts:
2025willbemytime · 28/04/2025 21:32

I was worried my dog's food would be delivered early when we were moving in that day or the next, to have post delivered when you've not even exchanged is not okay at all.

InSpainTheRain · 28/04/2025 21:35

I'd be worried they taken out finance saying they are already at your address. This won't be a popular answer, but I'd open it and explain later if I needed by saying "oh so sorry my mistake, I never thought you'd start using my address before you moved in so I wasn't expecting post for anyone other than me so of course I just opened it" and see what it says. At least you'll know.

strawlight · 28/04/2025 21:37

I’d accidentally open it. I bet they’ve ordered furniture (which can take weeks to come) and the confirmation has been sent to
the delivery address. If that’s the case, I don’t think it would bother me, though I’d be a bit concerned if they’ve taken out a credit agreement.

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 22:56

I must admit I was tempted to open it. But I might just send the EA a very straightforward email asking why they are having post delivered before we have exchanged.
if it is a finance agreement I’m not sure that’s even legal to use a different address to where you live.
Although we have an ideal date, nobody in the chain has a clue when we will complete.

OP posts:
strawlight · 28/04/2025 23:00

Open it. It’s your house and you weren’t expecting mail for someone else.

If it’s just a receipt / confirmation (and not a credit agreement) I would probably just think they’re a bit cheeky not to ask, but I’d also think they’re sensible getting stuff ordered in advance!

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 23:08

strawlight · 28/04/2025 23:00

Open it. It’s your house and you weren’t expecting mail for someone else.

If it’s just a receipt / confirmation (and not a credit agreement) I would probably just think they’re a bit cheeky not to ask, but I’d also think they’re sensible getting stuff ordered in advance!

Do you think?
I mean we need new beds for our onward purchase but I wouldn’t dream of ordering anything until we’ve moved in. certainly not until after we’ve exchanged with a fixed completion date.
I know it can take weeks but we will just have to make do!
if there is further delays up the chain am I to be stuck with a sofa that isn’t mine?

OP posts:
booksforever · 28/04/2025 23:12

I had a delivery driver turn up with 2 chairs for the new buyers before we had exchanged! I obviously refused delivery .

VisitationRights · 28/04/2025 23:13

Don’t open someone else’s mail, it is illegal to do so. And don’t knowingly open it with the intention of lying if you get caught.

strawlight · 28/04/2025 23:14

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 23:08

Do you think?
I mean we need new beds for our onward purchase but I wouldn’t dream of ordering anything until we’ve moved in. certainly not until after we’ve exchanged with a fixed completion date.
I know it can take weeks but we will just have to make do!
if there is further delays up the chain am I to be stuck with a sofa that isn’t mine?

I’d hope that if there are delays they’ll just delay the delivery. I’d be sorely tempted to order eg sofas with a 12 week lead time, BUT I’d ask the sellers permission first. They may not have realised it would involve docs sent by post.

Horticula · 28/04/2025 23:21

It's not the norm, it's presumptuous and extremely rude and completely out of order especially if you haven't exchanged. It's your house, not theirs, until completion.
My son moved recently, once they'd exchanged he organised the broadband and some new equipment was needed, he'd told the provider when completion would be and said to deliver it the day after that. He was mortified that the provider sent the equipment too early, about a week before completion. He made sure to tell the EA to pass on his deepest apologies and how embarrassed he was, he said it made him feel like a massive cheeky fucker.

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 23:52

Horticula · 28/04/2025 23:21

It's not the norm, it's presumptuous and extremely rude and completely out of order especially if you haven't exchanged. It's your house, not theirs, until completion.
My son moved recently, once they'd exchanged he organised the broadband and some new equipment was needed, he'd told the provider when completion would be and said to deliver it the day after that. He was mortified that the provider sent the equipment too early, about a week before completion. He made sure to tell the EA to pass on his deepest apologies and how embarrassed he was, he said it made him feel like a massive cheeky fucker.

I think I would feel the same as your son!
I’ve found it very odd. Even if it is just a receipt. This is my home and I’ve never even met these people!!
If something does turn up I will just refuse the delivery.

OP posts:
Lookingtomakechanges · 28/04/2025 23:55

They should not have done this and I would certainly open the envelope to see exactly what they have done.

missmarplesapprentice · 28/04/2025 23:58

I’ve ordered sofas from next (not on finance) and certainly didn’t get anything in the post as all communication was done on email and via my online account. Sounds like it could be finance related. I’d be tempted to “return to sender - not at this address”

missmarplesapprentice · 29/04/2025 00:00

Lookingtomakechanges · 28/04/2025 23:55

They should not have done this and I would certainly open the envelope to see exactly what they have done.

Probably return to sender after doing this 😂😂

Lookingtomakechanges · 29/04/2025 00:05

missmarplesapprentice · 29/04/2025 00:00

Probably return to sender after doing this 😂😂

I know you should not open other people’s mail but in this case you really need to know what’s inside. I got the habit after buying a house from someone with huge debts. Opening the ballifs letters gave me time to head them off.

Avatartar · 29/04/2025 00:05

Well they clearly intend buying which is a positive sign that you’ll exchange and complete and they won’t demand you drop the agreed price at the last, or they’ll walk. Hang onto their post, don’t say you have it and just put it on the counter as you leave for the last time

MN2025 · 29/04/2025 00:52

llittledoveblue · 28/04/2025 20:54

We’ve just returned home from a weekend away and amongst our post is a letter with our buyers name on it.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it. We haven’t exchanged contracts yet, although we’re all ready to go there was an issue with a survey further up the chain last week so that person has just found a new property. Although everyone is keen to exchange the end of next month this of course isn’t guaranteed.

The letter is from Next and states “important documents enclosed”.
which also concerns me as they had asked to buy our sofa but we had to say no as it isn’t very old and we need it for the new house but we informed them it was from Next.
now I don’t know if this is just order confirmation or furniture or if they’ve potentially taken out finance on it which is a big worry as if we don’t complete by the end of the month their mortage offer expires and they will need to reapply.

obviously it could be neither. But still odd they’ve used our address as anything could happen or am I overthinking it?

Unless you’ve exchanged contracts then it’s the not the norm and they shouldn’t have done it…
That said though, it could be an invoice related to the sale of the property and they don’t have the current address…. Even then they should!

Slightly different but when we sold ours in January, our buyers ordered new furniture to the house to be delivered after the completion date, we had no issue with this and we did get update letters through the post - we were made aware /asked if this was ok with the EA.

PuzzlingRecluse · 29/04/2025 06:32

I’d be tempted to accidently open it too 🙈 however what I would more likely do is return to sender as not known at this address.

hope you don’t have a random sofa turn up!

NoviceVillager · 29/04/2025 06:45

It is certainly CF, although at least you know they are super keen buyers?!

llittledoveblue · 29/04/2025 07:01

NoviceVillager · 29/04/2025 06:45

It is certainly CF, although at least you know they are super keen buyers?!

I suppose so! 😆

OP posts:
llittledoveblue · 29/04/2025 08:15

Thanks everyone. I of course hope this means they are keen but I did find it odd.
I think I will email the EA and mention it and return it to sender

We absolutely hope the sale goes through but have found it very cheeky. Especially if they have ordered furniture and not thought ask if it’s okay. I won’t be able to accept a delivery if it does turn up as we just don’t have the space to store strangers furniture 😂

OP posts:
NeuroSpicyMumof3 · 29/04/2025 08:19

I honestly couldn't get upset about this at all. Even if they have taken out finance linked to the address and the exchange doesn't happen, it won't affect the OP as finance hasn't been linked to the address for years, its the person.

See it as a good sign, they have started the arduous process of changing their address with all of their accounts and are committed to buying your house! Please don't open it, there really is no need to be nosey and spiteful, its just a letter.

carfentanyl · 29/04/2025 08:34

We had exchange and complement at the same days. Some days before there was a delivery of big bushes to our front garden. It really didn’t bother as we saw it as sign our sale will go through.