what would happen

jenniferpa

You know, people often think that that's what "vacant possession" means, but my understanding is that it means "no occupants"

See this definition from Hatton Kelly

Vacant Possession - the date by which the vendor agrees to give up possession of the property (see 'Completion'). A well used estate agency phrase which means that the property being offered will be vacant upon completion of the sale. The property is therefore offered free from any such encumbrances as a sitting tenant or service tenancy.

Furniture may take up space, but it isn't an occupant.

Jennifer

Edited to add

Having said that, a high court case dealt with this very issue, and determined that if objects were left in such a way as to make it impossible for the purchaser to exercise his right of occupancy, there was no real difference between that, and still physically being there. However only things that were difficult to remove met that condition (in that case, they were bags of hardened concrete!), not items of furniture.

Bit of a red herring, in that the contract almost certainly stipulates that these things should be removed so there's a breach right there.

Gem_

It is not always a bad thing when they leave furniture - you could always sell it on Ebay! IMO its better that they leave furniture than go the other route and take everything inc the light bulbs / curtain poles etc.

When I moved into my first house the seller left a really nice wooden double bed - we still have it 4 years and 3 house moves later.

10 am seems quite early to get the keys unless the money went through the day before, 2 pm seems more reasonable. My solicitors have always been painfully slow, dont send paperwork unless you kick them etc. You are not alone on this one!

Good Luck in your new home

G

exil

Dear oh dear. When I move into a house I expect to find a certain amount of "junk", some of which comes in very handy. Example - tins of paint that matches that on the walls.