Is this usual? Buyer wants to do painting/tiling before exchange etc

Pricivius

This is not normal and would be absolute madness to let him do it. What if he sets fire to the place? What if he paints and tiles it black? What if he moves in and starts squatting? What if he steals the boiler/radiators/wiring? And that's just off the top of my head.

He can carry out works on the property once he owns it. Simple.

kwmlondon

Good grief, no NO NO NO!!!!! Do not let a potential buyer have access to your property to do anything to it. Letting someone view to measure up, get quotes for work etc. is normal and is only fair, but letting someone start putting tiles up?!?! No NO NO NO NO NO!

If it's a deal breaker then get a quote and have someone do the work and sort out a price for it, but don't let him do it. He could destroy your property or move in and squat or goodness only knows what. Under no circumstances do this.

Is my advice!!!!

Pinto2013

Thanks all.

I had wondered if I was being over anxious about this but I don't think so now. You have all been a great help.

The buyer doesn't have keys.

The estate agent does and has once asked permission for the buyer's builder to access but I think I may now ask for the keys back in the light of those comments above re the bad things people might get up to. Or perhaps just change the locks! The initial period of my contract with the agent has run out so perhaps I should 'sack' him and start again!

The estate agent spent some time today being irritated with me and trying to persuade me to go ahead with all this - left me with the feeling that the buyer was the client rather than me. He said I would lose if I lost the sale now. I did point out that actually I hadn't got anything yet!

More I think about the more I think something really ain't right with the whole thing.

My flat isn't on the agents website as "Sold stc" but seems to have vanished.........hhmmmmmm

Errata

Pinto2013 wrote: »

Hi all.

Is it usual for a buyer to want access to a property to do tiling and painting works before any exchange of leagls doc or money etc?

I had an offer for a small flat which I had started to strip to do up. I changed my mind and sold it with tiles stripped, paper removed, units off the walls etc and it was priced and advertised as a renovation job.

Having offered cash the buyer changed his mind and is after a mortgage. He says the valuer wants him to put up tiles in kitchen and bathroom and paint the flat before he can get the mortgage he wants and could he please have access to do (at this own cost) this a week before exchange (NB no dates have been set yet as contracts have not been sent or signed etc).

This is very minor cosmetic work and it seems odd to me that his mortgage is dependent on it being done.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing?

Any help/advice/info gratefully received.

Buyers often tell vendors porkies, but this wins first prize.

moneyistooshorttomention

Squatting is THE thing that most comes to my mind personally, though other people have pointed out other possible snags.

Believe me, you do NOT want to have to deal with a squatter. Voice of experience time, as I have one I am in process of getting rid of myself and it's certainly not my idea of fun having to do so.

Pinto2013

Right. That's me off a a trip tomorrow to get the locks changed, sack the estate agent and start all over again.

Thanks all.

Pinto2013

jjlandlord wrote: »

Hold on here: I hope that you are not even considering the possibility of accepting.

Well, I had said 'no' to MY estate agent and he spent 15 mins on the phone today trying to persuade me to agree!!

Which is why (feeling maybe I was being over anxious) I decided to come to the forum for some unbiased advice - which I have got.

'No' is the message without a doubt.

Errata

sack the estate agent and

Probably a wise move, the EA's clearly a lunatic.

Pinto2013

Certainly a bit odd.........

Thought they were supposed to represent you (in order to get their cut) but hey maybe not!

densol_2

Errata wrote: »

Probably a wise move, the EA's clearly a lunatic.

He is probably the buyers mate !! The buyer LIED to you that this was a cash purchase and now its with a mortgage so tight - it needs cosmetic work to proceed ! What a load of crap - tell them both no can do ! Buy or remarket !