Gap between completion and getting the keys?

shar46y

Seriously, once you have completed it is your house and you would be justified in kicking up a stink (if necessary) to get access to it. Go stand in the EA's office if need be.

WestonDave

Phone your solicitor, tell them that the keys have not been released, and as such you do not regard the vendors as having completed. Get them to get on to the vendors solicitors and make sure you have keys this afternoon. Technically if completion hasn't taken place (because you don't have access to the property) you should get interest on the completion sum over the weekend until you get in.

poppysarah

missjy wrote: »

I have completed and was supposed to pick up keys today but EA keep telling me they'll ring me "soon" to pick up keys and I've already rang them twice. They're short staffed today but how many people do they need to hand over keys? If I don't get it today then I got to wait til Monday at the earliest and that feels ages away! And if my mortgage starts today and I'm the legal owner then I feel miffed that I don't have keys

You could go and pick up the keys.

(Or go to the house and see whether it's a delay in their moving. Once the money is with them though the house is yours!)

G_M

Actually for Completion to take place two things need to happen
1) the buyer has to pass the money to the seller - check with your solicitor that this has happened
2) the seller has to pass possession to the buyer - this has clearly not happened.

So the seller has failed to Complete in accordance with the contract you previously Exchanged.

Pay a locksmith to break in. Or check into a hotel till Tuesday. Either way, send the bill via your solicitor to the seller, together with interest charges as specified in the Contract.

Cheeky_Monkey

I don't understand why the OP didn't just go to the EA's office instead of keep ringing them.
Maybe it's lack of experience buying houses or maybe they're just too nice. If it's the latter, I think they're going to have to toughen up in the big bad world of property :eek:

jjlandlord

G_M wrote: »

2) the seller has to pass possession to the buyer - this has clearly not happened.

I would think that giving the keys can be evidence that possession was transferred, but would that be required? (e.g. for a tenancy it is not)

shegar

I would have gone to the EA office before 5 and picked the keys up......failing that get locksmith in, its your house,dont let them fob you of with a load of carp......if it had been me id have hauled the !!!!!! from over his desk ......PDQ.....mind you im not a very patient person with EA s .........:mad:

hcb42

It is probably a mis understanding, bit late in the day to be worrying about key transfer on the day! Should have made arrangements beforehand

missjy

Picked up the keys!! Took family around for a look and feel sooooo happy! Although I was a bit cos it's a probate sale, the vendor died and his son was selling it, and there were albums full of black and White photos including the parents wedding photos and holidays snaps and slides....can't believe they were just left in the corner on the floor

shegar

Well done, hope you will be very happy in your new home....:T