house completion / overdue costs

williams55

Does anyone know can you claim back costs you have incurred as a result of a house not completing on the agreed date.

Madmel

It depends on the costs incurred, but in short YES.

We failed to complete on time because our buyer didn't complete on time. Some solicitor down the chain sat on the money for some hours. We are claiming back the interest we were charged by our vendors' solicitor, plus the overtime for the removal men. My piano was delayed by 3 days as the specialist remover came straight here, waited an hour then cleared off, returning the next working day to deliver it. He didn't charge for storage, but if he had, we would have been able to claim it back.

If you had ended up paying for a hotel, you can claim that back if it isn't your fault. Hope that helps.

Bossyboots

Your solicitor should serve a notice to complete and inform your vendor's solicitors that the contractual penalties are to be imposed. Keep a good record of any costs you incur.

williams55

2 months on and still no sign of my buyer coughing up my costs . My solicitor just says he has written a letter . Whats the procedure now do i have to actually sue for the costs ? or will the buyers solicitor cough up .

Bossyboots

Your buyer's solicitor will only cough up if they made a mistake that caused the delay. Otherwise, it looks as though you are going to have to sue although a letter before action to the seller might have the desired affect.