Seller gone AWOL

LateStarter

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

If his property is now vacant then there is no good reason for him not to agree to exchange/complete on the timescale you propose.

No there isn't a good reason - but he's still not agreed to it. EA was very unsure what would happen next.

Jhoney_2

It is now becoming clearer as to your solicitors advice of same day exchange and completion!
I would confirm with EA that they still have the keys before I did anything further - unreliability is not a one-off label....at best Vendor is preoccupied by his own purchase...

If you agree an exchange and completion date with the EA holding keys (assumingly neutral/sale motivated), you could at least give your buyer a move in day (but you need to be prepared for a delay at your seller's end!)

If all goes pear shaped, move out for your buyer, collect keys from EA, re-route your stuff to a storage warehouse type company and book into a prem inn sort of place (food is at least downstairs for ease and not too expensive - keep your receipts for compensation if it should be required) The next day go ino property, change locks and sue.

Hoploz

Jhoney there's no point agreeing things with an EA, it is down to the solicitors to get the dates sorted out. (with agreement from buyer and seller of course)
At this stage the solicitor is the one who knows the 'official' picture. All the EA can do is put pressure on the seller to give the instruction to their solicitor to proceed with exchange.

LateStarter

Still waiting...

Funny thing here is there is no chain - I'm renting, he's moving (has moved?) into a rental. I'm trying to complete before my AST ends as I've had my S21 etc. It's really in the hands of the solicitors now.

It just shows things can go wrong in what should be a straightforward transaction. What an insane system!

SerialRenter

LateStarter wrote: »

AST ends as I've had my S21 etc.

Can you expand on this? It could end up costing you more money.

An S21 does not end a tenancy, it's a notice to seek possession, not gain possession.

Have you given proper notice, or mutually agreed with the landlord that the tenancy will be ending on a certain date? Otherwise you may be liable for another periods rent.

Jhoney_2

Hoploz wrote: »

Jhoney there's no point agreeing things with an EA, it is down to the solicitors to get the dates sorted out. (with agreement from buyer and seller of course)
At this stage the solicitor is the one who knows the 'official' picture. All the EA can do is put pressure on the seller to give the instruction to their solicitor to proceed with exchange.

Hi Hoploz, My suggestion was not to establish a completion date via the EA, but obtaining the keys whenever the agreed completion date is e.g not the from the vendor who is not entriely focused at the moment. I meant I would not be trusting Vendor on the agreed day either.

Edit: I see how that post could be misunderstood so sorry to anyone who read it the same way as Hoploz, - my grammar and composition issue!

LateStarter

And today neither the EA or HIS solicitors can get hold of him. It's like buying a house off an eel.

I'm on a 6 month AST which ends next week. I've not given notice (I assumed I could just vacate at the end of term). I understand that if I stay beyond that I'm potentially liable for 2 months rent (as the notice period will drop me into a second month).

Jhoney_2

LateStarter wrote: »

Still waiting...

Funny thing here is there is no chain - I'm renting, he's moving (has moved?) into a rental. I'm trying to complete before my AST ends as I've had my S21 etc. It's really in the hands of the solicitors now.

It just shows things can go wrong in what should be a straightforward transaction. What an insane system!

This sale has got ERC written all over it, imo. It appears Vendor agreed to a completion date that will cost him some money as probably earlier than his product ends and he is buying time.....

If it were anything else, he could have instructed the solicitor to proceed yesterday when he 'found out' the confusion. I cannot yet think of any other rational explanation...

Jhoney_2

LateStarter wrote: »

And today neither the EA or HIS solicitors can get hold of him. It's like buying a house off an eel.

I'm on a 6 month AST which ends next week. I've not given notice (I assumed I could just vacate at the end of term). I understand that if I stay beyond that I'm potentially liable for 2 months rent (as the notice period will drop me into a second month).

I have a feeling vendor will be in touch in time to complete purchase next week. When your S and EA are ringing your phone off the hook, you don't amble in to the agents office, you return the call - especially a solicitor. He is stalling for time.

This is a terrible way conduct business, but as of now, he has done nothing wrong legally as exchange has not happened. He knows you were expecting to complete and is ignoring the pressure. His solicitor will not care and the EA is helpless.

LateStarter

It is the least professional and most discourteous transaction I've ever been involved in, and yet it's the most expensive. Someone is paying you hundreds of thousands of pounds, and you can't answer the bleeding phone?