Vendors unusual request, help!

SJsmith_2

Hi all,

we are buying and selling a house and due to exchange in two weeks or so. The vendors and us have become quite friendly and yesterday they asked us if we could complete on a day but not move for a couple of days as they need to do some work on the house that they are buying.

I am not adverse and not is our buyer but my husband is dead against it.

Any suggestions? What could go wrong? They are decent people and I can't really see anything wrong with it.....

Would be very grateful to hear some legal opinions if possible.

Many thanks

poppysarah

What does your solicitor say?

I'd say no - complete and move.

A few days could turn to months and then you're in a huge mess.

SJsmith_2

We haven't asked them, the vendors just asked us yesterday but I will ring them and see what they say.

Cheers

westlondonbuyer

You can delay completion if they really need the extra time.

But do not complete and then allow them to stay on in the house - legally this would be a nightmare of epic proportions for you.

silvercar

You can't do this if you are buying with a mortgage. The lender requires you to have vacant possession.

G_M

Your contracts say that Completion will take place with vacant possession. That means the property must be empty on Completion.

Legal minefield to alter this arrangement.

nearlynew

Bad idea.

Don't even consider it.

SJsmith_2

Thanks all,

I feel bad about saying no but it all sound very daunting so I think I will have to.... My husband says that if they really need to do stuff in the house that they are buying they could put the stuff in storage and spend a couple of nights in a hotel while the work is done...

LillythePink

Not only that, but surely you have to have the house insured from the day you complete, therefore, if anything happened to the house from something they have done or left insecure or something, then it would be your insurance that would suffer the claim - not theirs!

If they need a few days, then complete a few days later unless it's a problem for you

JQ.

What happens if they burn your new house to the ground.

Doozergirl

You might feel guilty but you can tell them that your solicitor has said no, that your mortgage company cannot agree to it.

It isn't a great idea.