People still in house after getting keys

PasturesNew

Top tip for next time, too: Never complete on a Friday in case there IS a problem .... I completed on a Wednesday, that always gives a couple of good working days to sort out any problems if they occur.

You'll soon find your movers have gone and you can get in.... but, for some, there are HUGE problems to deal with and, on a Friday afternoon, there's nobody to talk to until the following Monday.

alexjonsson

Unless they were renting from the previous owner - in which case, say hi to your new tenants :-) But it doesn't seem that way given that it looks like they were in the process of moving out.

looknohands

Ok, thanks that's reassuring, I'm glad i don't have to move today as well, would be tricky.
I was going to call the estate agent but If there's no law being broken (or agent isnt at fault) then I guess i'll just leave them to it and maybe go over around 5pm to make sure they're out, seems reasonable? moving stresses me out so no doubt they're feeling it...

I assume If they were keeping stuff there overnight that would be an issue?

theartfullodger

alexjonsson wrote: »

Unless they were renting from the previous owner - in which case, say hi to your new tenants :-) But it doesn't seem that way given that it looks like they were in the process of moving out.

Indeed: If there were tenants then you are their new landlord and probably can't force them out for several months, if that, unless you try bribery.

Does contract state vacant possession??

looknohands

I assume they're moving out, there's a van outside... maybe it's new tenants moving in.. ha

PasturesNew

looknohands wrote: »

I guess i'll just leave them to it and maybe go over around 5pm to make sure they're out, seems reasonable?

Yes ...maybe a bit earlier as it might be dark. Go over, make sure nothing's dripping/running (taps), make sure windows are shut/locked, etc.

looknohands wrote: »

I assume If they were keeping stuff there overnight that would be an issue?

Yes. They can't. They won't. I'm sure it'll be fine and they're probably panicking as they're running late and aware that they're being "a bit slack/naughty"

PasturesNew

looknohands wrote: »

I assume they're moving out, there's a van outside... maybe it's new tenants moving in.. ha

Oh well. If it is, at least you have the knowledge that you'll have secured the Post of the Year Award - quite an achievement so early in the year.

I've never seen that happen here.... had a bloke here 3 weeks ago saying he'd got his keys and there were some random people still living in one room of the house he just bought .... we're still waiting for him to come back and update us on that one.

He wasn't moving in as such though, it was a 2nd home for him to live closer to work in the week.

looknohands

Ha, no i was kidding, they are moving out, not new tenants. I did just speak to my solicitor and she seemed a lot more concerned. So she's going to deal with it, apparently vacant possession should have been given as completion took place.

HouseBuyer77

Simply walking up to them and saying 'Hello, I'm blah blah blah, I'm the purchaser, pleasantry pleasantry etc, would you mind telling me when you'll be finished moving out' will instantly let you know what the score is. If (as is likely) they're reasonable peoeple just a bit behind time they'll apologise for taking so long and give you a time when they'll be done. If something dodgy is afoot you'll get another answer.

Jumping straight to your solicitor could just aggrevate the whole situation.

PasturesNew

looknohands wrote: »

Ha, no i was kidding, they are moving out, not new tenants. I did just speak to my solicitor and she seemed a lot more concerned. So she's going to deal with it, apparently vacant possession should have been given as completion took place.

That is the text book exam answer.

In the real world they will start packing when the van turns up, things can go wrong (a mover sick, the van breaks down and is late, the van supplied is a bit smaller than intended) .... and there is no fixed/absolute time of the day when the completion will actually occur. It could happen at any time on the day.

By the time she's "dealt with it" (aka: phoning people, who phone people, who phone others) .... you'll be in the house. There's nothing to deal with as such at this point in time - and no indication there's actually any problem at all.

She will phone the other solicitor.... who might/might not still be there.
They will phone the sellers. The sellers will say "we're doing it ..... right now".
Their solicitor will phone your solicitor.
Your solicitor will phone you and say "they're moving out, had a bit of a hitch, they know they're running late, they're sorry"