negotiating completion date with buyer

elsee

I'm selling my house to first-time buyers. They indicated a preferred week for completion, I flagged early on that a week later was more likely to be possible given my situation (buying a property with my partner that needs significant work done on it before it's habitable).

They came round to see the house a couple of weeks ago to measure up for furniture and also that his parents, who were in the area, could see it. We discussed completion dates and all seemed fine.

My estate agent has just called to say they now want to move it forward to the earlier week as it's more convenient to them. Given various delays imposed on our house-buying, the house is unlikely to be habitable by that time, meaning we'd have to put all our possessions in storage and move into a hotel for a week.

I'm unhappy that they've changed their mind on this, particulary as we've been generous in what we're leaving behind for free. And also that my estate agent appears to be on their 'side'. Her approach is to hope that a miracle occurs on the building work and, if not, we should move out when they want us to. Negotiation doesn't seem to be part of the picture and the give and take is all in one direction. For example, we're now undertaking some of the building work ourselves, in addition to full-time jobs, to speed progress.

I haven't sold a house before so I'm not sure what to expect of my estate agent. And whether my solicitor can help with this.

Any help gratefully received! Thanks.

moneyistooshorttomention

Has your buyer told you specifically why "Its more convenient" for them to move in a week earlier or is it just the case that they've told you that vague sentence and not told you specifically why they want to?

Presumably they are in rented accommodation and it wouldnt make any difference to them whether they tell their landlord that they are moving out on one date or another one (which happens to be a week later) - other than paying one weeks extra rent that is..

Have you told them what it would cost for your stuff to go into storage because of them or what you would no longer be "leaving for free" if you let them have their own way?

arbrighton

It is supposed to be mutually agreed.
The EA works for you, and it might be worth reminding them of that.
But ultimately, you need your sale to complete, and depending on expense, storage and hotel/ camping on floor of new house might be necessary, before you go back, via your sol and say that isn't possible

elsee

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Has your buyer told you specifically why "Its more convenient" for them to move in a week earlier or is it just the case that they've told you that vague sentence and not told you specifically why they want to?

Presumably they are in rented accommodation and it wouldnt make any difference to them whether they tell their landlord that they are moving out on one date or another one (which happens to be a week later) - other than paying one weeks extra rent that is..

Have you told them what it would cost for your stuff to go into storage because of them or what you would no longer be "leaving for free" if you let them have their own way?

Yes, because he is going away with work for several months (he's in the forces) so she will have to do the move herself. They knew this when we they visited the house a few weeks ago and it wasn't brought up as a big deal.

They are currently in forces accommodation so I assume that there's some flexibility there.

I haven't been able to convey much to them as everything needs to go via the estate agent and she had assumed that we'd be at the "minor decorating" stage by then so moving early wouldn't be a problem, which is presumably how she's phrased it with them. In fact, we are only doing the basics to make it habitable (electricity, running water, that sort of thing).

elsee

arbrighton wrote: »

It is supposed to be mutually agreed.
The EA works for you, and it might be worth reminding them of that.
But ultimately, you need your sale to complete, and depending on expense, storage and hotel/ camping on floor of new house might be necessary, before you go back, via your sol and say that isn't possible

I have reminded her, didn't seem to make much difference. I think part of the problem is that the buyer's mother is an EA and I get the feeling that she is outmanoeuvring my EA. All discussions have been, and continue to be, between my EA and the mother.

Yes, ultimately we may have to give on this, but I don't think this should be my EA's starting position.

ValHaller

elsee wrote: »

IGiven various delays imposed on our house-buying, the house is unlikely to be habitable by that time, meaning we'd have to put all our possessions in storage and move into a hotel for a week.

If you can organise your new house to a certain extent, you could put all of your stuff in one room and not need the storage. This would leave you asking your buyers to fund your week in a hotel.

Given that their need is to have them both available for the move before he goes on his tour, I would expect them to stump up for this.

elsee

ValHaller wrote: »

If you can organise your new house to a certain extent, you could put all of your stuff in one room and not need the storage. This would leave you asking your buyers to fund your week in a hotel.

Given that their need is to have them both available for the move before he goes on his tour, I would expect them to stump up for this.

Interesting idea, thanks. They are really stretching themselves to buy the house (I believe various family members are chipping in e.g. to pay for searches) so I doubt they could afford this. But it might focus their mind on what their priorities are and/or what they're demanding of us.