keys before completion date?

F_Bear

finally found and bought a house and looking at completion on 29 nov.

the house is going to be empty from the 15 nov when the vendor moves into their new house. what would be the chances of getting the keys early to decorate etc?

from my basic, limited naive research once you've exchanged contracts your leagally bond to buy so we could have the keys then?

dimbo61

You can only ask
We were given the keys to the separate garage and stored alot of garden junk plus I managed to paint the concrete floor and inside walls.
Just ask the estate agent and speak to your solicitor

LandyAndy

No properly advised vendor would give you the keys before completion. Always worth asking though.

AdrianC

F_Bear wrote: »

from my basic, limited naive research once you've exchanged contracts your leagally bond to buy so we could have the keys then?

Think ahead, to when you want to move to the next place.

You exchange contracts with your buyer. Would you be happy giving them the keys then? Remember - they've not paid yet. You've not moved your stuff out. It's still your home.

lessonlearned

No. You do not get key release until all monies have been paid.

G_M

You can ask.

I agreed an extended gap between Exchange/Completion on a property specifically so I could renovate before Completion.

I was allowed access during the day but not overnight, and had to return the keys to the estate agent every evening.

It meant the day after Completion the property was spick and span and ready for tenants.

phoebe1989seb

When we bought our current house in 2011 the vendors had already moved out - it had been empty for a long time as they had begun a complete gut/renovation, during which time they moved in with family then he fell ill so they decided to sell it half-finished - and quite unexpectedly they offered us the keys from exchange so we could start moving our stuff in.

As our move took around seven 200 mile trips (don't ask ) from the house we were selling and we had the house insured from exchange (plus there was no lender involved), we accepted their offer. Not necessarily the wisest thing to do, but it suited us and worked out fine

lessonlearned

I am sorry F Bear, I misread your question. I thought you meant you wanted to move in, not decorate.

Yes it is possible to get the keys early for decoration purposes etc - it is something you can negotiate with the vendor.

You may need to sign a disclaimer of some sort and of course you will need to make sure you take out any necessary insurance.

Apologies for my mistake - it's past my bed-time.:o