BTL'er advertising my property prior to completion

phatbear

Well after 18 weeks of to'ing fro'ing i exchanged on the sale of my flat on thurs, with completion set for a week later.

The buyer who is a buy to let'er popped round on thursday to go over the final details of the purchase and whilst there he asked if it was ok if the people he would be using to let it could take some pics, which given how long this has taken and my keen'ness to conclude the sale as im currently paying 2 mortgages, i agreed to.

Fast forward a day and my flat is now being advertised on right move to let despite the fact i still own the property, add to that the buyer asked if i would be available to give them access a day before completion so they could get some potential letters round, which of course isnt gonna happen.

So is this behaviour normal? I appreciate the fact i could have said no to the pics being taken but conversely they could have just copied and pasted the pics from my original sale advert on rightmove.

Part of me wants to kick up a fuss and ask them to remove the ad until they at least own the property but the other part of me thinks i should stay quiet as by next friday it wont be my problem anymore.

Any thoughts?

agrinnall

It's a bit cheeky but I'd go for the keeping quiet option. However, I wouldn't allow viewings by potential tenants while you are still the owner, that's a step too far.

marksoton

Whilst their behaviour is cheeky to what end would kicking up a fuss gain you anything?

It won't. Suck it up and just get completion done next Friday. End of problem. And 2 mortgages!

PasturesNew

My buyers applied for a complete change of use, without informing me, well before exchange date.

First I knew of it was when I opened up a letter that arrived - it was addressed to them, but I never read names on letters because it's only me that lives at houses and I'd been in that one for 7 years.

I tend to scoop up a letter and then open it without even looking at what it is, while wandering round the house, then I'll put the envelope down and unfold the letter, then read/see who it's from.

phatbear

Thanks for your replies.

Just a tad miffed by it all and of course kicking up a fuss isnt gonna achieve owt in the long run.

G_M

Nothing to stop someone advertising the property to let, and indeed this close to Completion it makes perfect sense.

However access for viewings etc is entirely at your doscretion, and I'd advise against.

The new owner can have potential tenants lined up ready to view on Completion day or later if he wishes.

davidmcn

Access for viewings is up to you (they could always have tried to out it into the contract if they really cared). What's the problem with advertising?

phatbear

I just find it a tad rude regardless of exchange its still my property until completion. They had an opportunity to ask if it was ok on thursday and if they had i would have said i would prefer they didnt until completion.

On a security point of view i moved out over 2 months ago and the photos show the address and that the property is empty.

boliston

I'd have thought it's fairly common for upcoming units to be advertised along the lines of "coming soon" even if they are not yet viewable.

davidmcn

phatbear wrote: »

On a security point of view i moved out over 2 months ago and the photos show the address and that the property is empty.

Even if that is a security problem, it's the purchaser's risk now you've exchanged.

G_M

phatbear wrote: »

I just find it a tad rude regardless of exchange its still my property until completion. They had an opportunity to ask if it was ok on thursday and if they had i would have said i would prefer they didnt until completion.

I don't see why it's rude at all.

And one reason they may not have asked on Thursday could be that .... you might "have said i would prefer they didnt until completion." !!

All they are doing is advertising the availability of something they wish to market at a date in the future when they will have it available.

When VW (to refer to a topical car manufacturer!) launch a new car, they advertise it months in advance of its availability.