owners still not moved out

fudgecat

So sorry you were disappointed and could not get in. Your first purchase should be special. Is there really no recourse against the solicitor who allowed this to happen? Concievably the old owners could take several days to clear - what happens then ?- especially if you did not have alternative accommodation or had commisioned the builders to start straight away!

moneysavinmonkey

sounds like a whole heap of trouble.
Have you discussed the situation with your solictor throughly... I'd prepare a whole bunch of questions for him - i hope he works saturday. Would be awful for you if this drags on the whole bank holiday weekend.

What compensation are you due?
What can you do to make them give you keys (access)
What if they don't move their boxes (particurlarly given you know these boxes have been packed up for some time and still hvaen't been moved!)
What happens if the house burns down/is burgled etc.

I'm fairly sure there was a thread some time ago with an poster in a similar situation so i'll try see if I can find it.

moneysavinmonkey

Here is the older thread - there is no conclusion but perhaps you could PM the OP? Raises some of the issues that you need to talk over with your solicitor.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1022169

moneysavinmonkey

another one here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=966057

dander

I would recommend talking to the estate agent - at least you know they'll be open on a saturday. Tell them you have a serious complaint about the transaction that they have dealt with - ie. the previous owners are refusing to give you the keys. They may be able to send a representative round to the house to get the keys from the 'friend'. It's worth going in to the office to talk to them in person.

Let's face it, in this current market, they'll probably be grateful for being given something to do!

Jonbvn

Until you get vacant possession the solicitor should never have transferred any money. You should be OK, bit you there is a possibility that you may be turned over.

The correct way things should have progressed is that when you turned up and saw your vendors were not ready to move, you called your solicitor and told them to stop the transfer of money immediately. Amazing things happen when people don't get their money. Now they have nothing to lose......

huntersc

I would find a solicitor to take action against your solicitor, he sounds like an idiot. Isn't completion ALWAYS on vacant possession? I have never been in a situation where my solicitor has transferred my money and not had the keys in his possession.

GDB2222

This is a real shame. I'm sorry for the OP. The reality is that this will almost certainly all sort itself out over the long weekend - and the solicitor if he has any sense won't be seen at all until Tuesday. It's impossible for the solicitor to know what is happening at the house, as he is in his office, and of course, nobody is prepared to pay enough for the solicitor to attend completion at the property.

The OP can sue his vendors in due course, but for now it's a problem. It does sound like they are moving out, and they've just been too mean to pay a proper removals firm. They probably hired a van that's far too small, so they are having to make lots of journeys.

Mark_Davis

The property is now yours - they do not have any right of tenure.

Just get the locks changed asap, keep their chattels safe, and enjoy your home.

I had exactly the same situation 9 years ago so I know

simpywimpy

When I bought my house, the previous owner left it completely furnished. I got the keys okay but it took me days to empty it. Nothing I could do. No compo - nothing!