An Undertaking?

ftbworried

Hi

The house we have exchanged on, is now vacant (was tenanted). We're due to complete on 7th April, but we went to view it yesterday (just to check it was empty) and :rolleyes: it needs more work than we thought on it. Nothing serious- just new carpets all round and a bit more plastering. We would LIKE to get access to the property before completion to get the trademen in to do these jobs before we move in (we need some work to the central heating too- obvs dont want to move in and be without heating). The EA said that we could ask our solicitor to prepare what i *think* she said was an 'undertaking', where we are allowed to access the property during the day to do work to it (as long as we don't occupy it or stay there over night).

Has anyone ever done this? is it complicated. Our solicitor has provided a fixed fee service, I dont suppose that an undertaking would be included in this fee?

Thanks

NAR

I was in a similar situation to you. I got verbal approval from the seller to gain access to do work prior to completion date. I guess the undertaking just protects the seller. Is there anyway of you getting to ask the seller directly, which might avoid the expense (I can't see it being free but don't know what it will cost) of the undertaking. In talking to the seller he/she might be assured enough regarding your intentions.

sukey13

Ask the seller. As you have exchanged I do not see why they'd object. Exchanged is as good as bought in my book as you will legally owe them 10% of the purchase price were you to pull out now, plus you'd lose your new plasterwork and carpets - so why would there be a risk?

robwend

i want a key undertaking also. i dont think it cost anymore than the cost of a letter, but i spose its worth it for a clean house, i would go through the seller but hes a right ba....d so wont waste my breath lol