Access to inside of the property after exchange before completion?

magga2000

Hi,

We are looking to buy our first home we ware hoping to exchange complete before Christmas,all started in mid October. but it's looks unlikely due to seller and his solicitor taking 4 weeks to get back on initial enquires!

Now we are hoping to exchange before Christmas and complete in new year as our solicitors closes his office on 22nd December! Not sure what for we a paying them! But now it's to late to change. And the bank needs a 7 day notice to release the funds.

Although this might be faster but not sure. And probably we will not be ready to complete before Xmas.

Is it realistic to ask for access to the property after exchange and before completion and start the move own furniture and start for example cleaning inside?
I think both sides are still keen to sale/buy and this would help us with logistics.

As I am not working and would have plenty of time between Christmas and new year. And planed the move that time. I think this would be to seller discretion , and I would only need the key from EA in the morning and I would return at the end of the day.

We would not leave in the house before completion? I know there might be some legal implication but assuming both parties are honest to complete a mutual agreement should be possible? I would have insurance on the house on exchange.
And willing to buy it.

Any advice how to get this access sorted? Let me know your experience?
Or maybe complete before new year?

Best.
M

cattie

It is unrealistic & any decent solicitor would strongly advise their client against allowing any access to property before completion. As you already seem to be aware, there are serious legal implications against allowing a purchaser full access to a property before completion has been achieved.

I think your expectations of being in before Christmas were a little ambitious if the sale/buying process only began in Mid October. A realistic timescale from begining to completion is around 12-14 weeks if there is no complicated chain involved & of course everything comes to a stop for the 2 week holiday period over Christmas & New Year.

Good luck in the new home anyway.

magga2000

There was no chain and the property is vacant they had been v.keen to sale according to EA, and we did offer the full asking price to be in before Christmas. That's why this is disappointing. I am not talking about full access just few hours during the day?

The mortgage valuation was ready at 11. November. It was just the seller delaying their responses extended this process. Apparently due to his family member being off sick according to EA. If we don't get the access to the property I don't see a point in exchanging before christmas? No stamp duty on this house anyway. We might wait till end of January as this will suit us better. We still rent till end of January because of this delay. And maybe something better would come along.

greenface

we gained access into new house detached garage once we exchanged and had a date to move . We moved our garage and garden stuff and kids toys etc (stuff of no real value but take ages to shift) with the warning if it goes missing or damages dont blame us . We thought it very helpful and much easier on move day to worry about other stuff

Thrugelmir

magga2000 wrote: »

. We might wait till end of January as this will suit us better. We still rent till end of January because of this delay. And maybe something better would come along.

You seem to want everything your way. Yet seem happy to pull the plug on the whole transaction.

If you are interested in purchasing the property. Chill out and relax. Then you can arrange completion to your conveniance which as you would be the end of January which actually suits you!

Fire_Fox

magga2000 wrote: »

Hi,

Now we are hoping to exchange before Christmas and complete in new year as our solicitors closes his office on 22nd December! Not sure what for we a paying them! But now it's to late to change. And the bank needs a 7 day notice to release the funds.

As I am not working and would have plenty of time between Christmas and new year. And planed the move that time. I think this would be to seller discretion , and I would only need the key from EA in the morning and I would return at the end of the day.

These two sentences come across as a bit hypocritical!

se999

We were purchasing an empty property and it needed wood treatment in the attic. With young children at the time we wanted as long as possible to let the toxic fumes clear before we moved in. The sellers allowed access for the contractor, not ourselves. Of course in this case the sellers were in a no lose situation, as if we didn't exchange/complete the sellers would have had necessary work done at zero cost to themselves.

But in the situation you're describing there are no benefits to the seller, only risks. Also, I think once you move furniture in the house is liable to council tax, so you'd be incurring costs for the seller.

magga2000

The benefits are for us buyers to be ready to better arrange everything before we start living in th property. I think if the buyers are to be happy the seller should agree to this access.As the house is vacant. It will be mostly cleaning maybe painting etc. and moving books,some furniture etc. If we exchange we would be keen to buy the property. Wouldn't mind to pay the council tax a month before. And would have insurance in place. As I see this is sometimes possible and depends on mutual agreements.

G_M

It's entirely up to the vendors! Ask them!

I bought an empty house (ex buy to let) and the vendor was happy for me to collect keys daily/return them to the EA. Solicitors drew up a brief agreement giving me access after Exchange during working hours only (no overnight).

But if the vendor doesn't want to, or his solicitor advises against, well, nothing you can do.

sparky341

It's not usual to be allowed access before completion (except perhaps an hour or so to measure up for curtains type of access). The seller's have nothing to gain and only risk on their part. The property isn't yours until you have paid for it at completion after all.

We're in the same position of having exchanged and waiting to complete next week. I can understand your wanting to get on with things - I've been counting the days for ages - but think you just need to be patient and respect the time it takes to complete a property purchase and the normal processes.

soulsaver

sparky341 wrote: »

It's not usual to be allowed access before completion (except perhaps an hour or so to measure up for curtains type of access). The seller's have nothing to gain and only risk on their part. The property isn't yours until you have paid for it at completion after all.

We're in the same position of having exchanged and waiting to complete next week. I can understand your wanting to get on with things - I've been counting the days for ages - but think you just need to be patient and respect the time it takes to complete a property purchase and the normal processes.

'Limited Access' (keys in office hours) between exchange and completion is not unusual when buying vacant property, in my experience. I've never wanted to move furniture in tho'; just getting remedial work started...