Vendor moving after completion?

stevie_wonder

Confusion reigns!
We exchanged on 9/4 with completion date of 23/4. EA said vendor wanted to hand over keys directly on the day and to arrange with her. Called her (elderly lady) and she couldnt give me a time, apparently her solicitor had told her to make a provisional booking with the removal firm, but she wasn't sure when she would firm it up. I left it at that and we went back on Friday with the family for a viewing. She mentioned in conversation that her removal was still provisionally booked but that they had space for her Friday and Monday (26th) if needed. Now I let this pass at the time as I wasn't quite sure what she meant. However after I called my solicitor and asked them to check with hers what the situation was, she said again that she might move on the monday after completion and had told us and we were okay with this!! Her solicitor it appears hadnt told her clearly that she needed to move out on 23rd, although they did this Friday just gone. Now she needs to confirm her removal for Friday. I phoned my solicitor this morning to see if they had heard anymore, and they suggested it would be best for me to call and speak to her to see if she had arranged the removals. Whilst I understand that it is quicker to speak direct, I feel that the solicitors (mine/hers) should be having this chat not me and told them. I've tried to call but she's not in, but I'm just worried about the prospect of her still being sat in her armchair on Friday, whilst we are loaded into a van and waiting to move in. Anyone come across this before, and what was the outcomes?

[Deleted User]

If completion is agreed then she has to move. It's not her house anymore: it's your's.

If she doesn't move then you can claim interest on the delay plus - usually - reasonable costs for the interim period, to include rebooking of removals, storage, temporary accomodation and transport.

She's a squatter in somebody else's home after completion. If I were the solicitor I would be having a stern word with her...she seems a bit dotty!

not_loaded

Well you don’t buy a dog and then bark yourself, do you?

You’re paying the legal experts for their knowledge and expertise, and they are asking you to do their work!

The ‘shift yourself’ message to the vendor will be so much more convincing coming from a solicitor than from you.

Maybe you should ask your solicitor what reduction he will be making in his charges for you doing the work for him?

stevie_wonder

Deleted_User wrote: »

If completion is agreed then she has to move. It's not her house anymore: it's your's.

If she doesn't move then you can claim interest on the delay plus - usually - reasonable costs for the interim period, to include rebooking of removals, storage, temporary accomodation and transport.

She's a squatter in somebody else's home after completion. If I were the solicitor I would be having a stern word with her...she seems a bit dotty!

She's definitely a bit dotty, but hey she's old and not bought/sold a house for over 30 years (and then it was probably her husband that did it all). But I feel the solicitors should have made this CLEAR to her, which they obviously hadn't until I raised it on Friday.

notisis

I suggest you speak to the estate agents as they might be able to confirm with her removers that they are booked. They act for the seller after all. Probably her solicitors don't want to come over heavy and you are obviously reluctant as well! If the agents cannot then get it through to the old lady that she must move out on completion day, then her solicitor will need to confirm this to her. If she doesn't move out she will get whacked with charges for the interest on delayed completion - that might galvanise her (and her family!) into action. And yes I've seen it before - usually the elderly or first time sellers who don't quite understand the process!

stevie_wonder

not_loaded wrote: »

Maybe you should ask your solicitor what reduction he will be making in his charges for you doing the work for him?

I've already paid for the solicitors fees when we exchanged, along with deposit. Harder to get money back from them I guess once already paid?

[Deleted User]

stevie_wonder wrote: »

I've already paid for the solicitors fees when we exchanged, along with deposit. Harder to get money back from them I guess once already paid?

Just pick up the phone and tell your solicitor to pull their finger out on this one. It's not your responsibility to do this. Either they or the EA need to be telling the vendor in no uncertain terms that she MUST move out on completion date. You need to be putting pressure on them to do this.

It amazes me - having just gone through this process for the first time - how slack certain people are in the buying process and how much the buyer (or vendor) needs to chase people to get them to do their job properly. I have utmost sympathy for the OP here - but be firm and tell your solicitor to push this hard. What are you paying them for?

stevie_wonder

notisis wrote: »

Probably her solicitors don't want to come over heavy and you are obviously reluctant as well!

I am reluctant - firstly, as I feel solicitors should have dealt with this already, secondly, she is elderly and may be confused/upset with the situation and I don't want to make it worse for her, thirdly, unless she has managed to book removals for Friday, I would have to refer to the solicitor in any case.

stevie_wonder

Okay all the stress panic and worry of the weekend are behind me now. The solicitors have done the job, without me having to call. The lady has confirmed she has removers coming to clear out on Friday at 8am so we can complete in confidence - phew!

[Deleted User]

stevie_wonder wrote: »

Okay all the stress panic and worry of the weekend are behind me now. The solicitors have done the job, without me having to call. The lady has confirmed she has removers coming to clear out on Friday at 8am so we can complete in confidence - phew!

Great stuff! Good luck with the move!