worried about idiot vendor's next actions

Jeffrey_Shaw

To avoid problems of proof [e.g. locksmith], get from your solicitor:
a. (before Friday) a certified copy of the Contract of Sale; and
b. (on Friday) a certified copy of the Transfer showing that date.

FTB27

Running_Horse wrote: »

Why not wait until the keys don't arrive before acting as if they have not arrived?

One day you will look back on all this and laugh at how unimportant it all was, and how you over-reacted.

He might be dopey, but you sound like you need to take a chill pill.

RunningHorse - thank you for that completely irrelevant post. I am merely trying to get advice on a potential situation that may occur given the vendor's attitude so far, I haven't acted as if the keys haven't arrived as I know the vendor has until Friday to drop them in. I am however, understandably concerned in case things do go wrong. I am a first time buyer and am buying alone. I haven't had a great deal of advice regarding the house purchase from my solicitor or the EA so I've muddled through things using helpful forums and websites to gather information. All I wanted was some advice if the worst case scenario occurred. Maybe you shouldn't be so judgemental considering you don't know me or the background.


As far everyone else who helpfully replied, a big thank you for taking the time to give advice. :A

evoke

Jeez.

OP: have you ASKED YOUR SOLICITOR for advice on what happens if you don't get the keys from the vendor on Friday? The contracts you signed when via your solicitor. They would know what your real options are.

argamemnon

I know how you feel until you have the keys in your hands you won't settle, when we moved 4 years ago the vendor of this house was still doing viewing & showing people around just days before we were due to move in there was a very tense moment when we were driving up here( Lincolnshire from Wales) with all our furniture in car & van between myself and husband, We let of such a sigh of relief when estate agent called 11 o clock on the friday..i'm sure it will all fall into place..Good Luck on your move & hope your happy in your new home..:beer:

theartfullodger

If your "idiot vendor " has read this thread will he be happy, or perhaps become very uncooperative???

JQ.

evoke wrote: »

Sorry, but gaining forced entry to the house is not the answer.

Your solicitors should be involved with this, as would be your EAs.

When you signed contracts and contracts were exchanged, both parties would have agreed to pay compensation if they could not complete on the agreed completion date.

You can then also claim additional, reasonable expenses for a late completion.

You should be talking to your solicitors about this.

Some of us operate in the real world where there are solutions to problems that don't involve suing everyone concerned.

Personally I think the OP's asked a perfectly valid question, as trying to get advice at 12pm on Friday when the keys have not turned up may be a bit of a problem. Plus getting the advice now puts her mind at rest. The advice given has been sound, get a locksmith booked for Friday afternoon whether the keys turn up or not and get those locks changed - problem solved and no need to sue people for compensation.

evoke

Are the responses legal or could they get the OP into legal trouble?

I still suggest that the OP asks his/her solicitor who is in the best position to advise on the options. That is the correct advice, unless you are legally qualified in these matters.

sparklysaver

Good grief there are some grumpy people on here :rotfl:

Hope this story makes you laugh instead of making you even more nervous ....... When I was a worried first time buyer I too was dealing with a vendor who kept on stalling for all sorts of bizarre reasons, although in my case the house wasn't even occupied, it was the deceased owner's daughter who was selling. It took 4 months to get to exchange & completion (on the same day). When the EA phoned to say they had the keys it was such a relief..... I headed right round there and the door was wide open........... and inside was the vendor, who invited me in, introduced herself and offered me a cup of tea! :eek:

She left when I asked her to (after I'd picked my jaw up off the floor :rotfl:), gave me back the "spare" keys she'd just been holding onto, and I changed the barrel of the lock within the hour. She still sends me xmas cards hoping I'm looking after "her" house (I'm not, I'd ripped out all of their ugly fixtures & decor within a month ).

Some people are just weird. :rotfl:

I would have a quick chat with the EA & your solicitor just to put your mind at rest, and consider completing in person as a few posters have suggested. I'd probably do that next time if I was faced with an awkward vendor again. But it's probably nothing more than (perfectly understandable) first time buyer nerves. Fingers crossed for you!

Neil_in_Bristol

Our vendors dropped the keys off with the estate agent the night before, and their agent handed them to us once they'd got confirmation from the vendors' solicitors that the sale had gone through.

Perhaps you should speak to your solicitor about your concerns and arrange something similar- i.e. only transfer the money once the estate agent confirms they have the keys?

evoke

It is the norm for the keys to be handed over by the EA once the EA has confirmation of funds transfer from the solicitors.

So, I have no idea why the OP is making plans for forced entry! LOL.

I'll say it again: the OP should clear everything up now with his/her EA and solicitor. That's what they are paid for.