No progress on moving

wChad

Hi all,

We're currently living in a privately rented 2-bed terrace and with two daughters have been crammed for some time. We made an offer on a 3-bed semi back in July-August which was accepted. It's a lovely house and we plan to stay there forever as it has everything we need (and more). We began packing quite a while ago and our current house is definitely no longer a home. It's just filled with boxes which is extremely stressful.

The seller of the house we have bought is moving to a new build property which I understand has not yet been completed. The seller's partner does not live at the property with her so I assume that he has his own place as well.

Unfortunately after three months we are still yet to exchange contracts with the seller, which is frustrating as we want to know that property is ours. To make things worse, our solicitor has just informed us that her new build property won't be ready until the end of November (best case scenario), and now our landlord is arranging viewings for the house we're currently in (can't see how a house in this state will take anyone's fancy!) We're devastated that we may not move in time for Christmas and then there's the further rent payments, etc.

I basically wanted to query what my options are here. We're first time buyers so haven't gone through the process before. Someone suggested that I ask if the seller has alternative living arrangements - basically a polite way of asking her to move out and in with her partner whilst they wait for their new build to finish? Is this cheeky? Are we in a position to say that enough is enough and demand that contracts are exchanged? We really don't want her pull out though, so are worried about coming across as too aggressive.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

mije1983

Of course you can ask her to move out early, and demand an exchange. However she may well say no, or even pull out and re-market the property. As you say, it's a risk and you need to think about how much you want to push her.

If the new build isn't ready, then it isn't ready. That's not the vendors fault. House buying/selling always takes longer than you'd like, or imagine!

Out of interest, you say your landlord is doing viewings in your current property. Have you already given your notice in?

[Deleted User]

I know its not what you want to hear, but you might have started the packing a bit early. Really, three months - five months is not long for the home buying process, particularly if your vendors are buying a new build.

I assume you won't be double paying the mortgage/rent any more than you would have to.., doesn't matter how long the process takes unless the LL is threatening to evict you unless you sign a new tenancy agreement (and that process would take 2 and a half to three months so you shouldn't have to worry too much about that anyway). So I wouldn't count extra months paying rent as an extra stressor? Hopefully, if you are paying rent, you won't be paying a mortgage!

Could you put some boxes in a friend's loft for a couple of months or something, just to get them out of the way? I do hope you didn't start packing on the day you made an offer!

Davesnave

I can only reiterate what the others have said.

If you've given notice to your landlord before having the security of exchange, then you've broken one of the golden rules of moving from a rented to a mortgaged property. In those circumstances, how fair would it be to put pressure on your vendor by asking her to move out?

If you haven't, then there's not much to worry about, assuming the new build is only delayed a few months, which is quite common. You are inconvenienced for a while, not 'devastated.'

But as deanna says, even if you have given notice, it will take 2 or 3 months from your end date for your landlord to evict, and they'll probably not wish to do that if you maintain your payments, which will still be putting a roof over your head.

getmore4less

Did you not do proper checks on when the new build would be available.

That's going to the build site and asking not believing what the vendor says.

Kynthia

The average purchase takes 3 months and can be longer with a chain, buying a leasehold or buying a new build. The first place I bought was an empty flat and it took nearly 6 months! So it seems like your expectations were unrealistic.

You never give notice where you live until you exchange. Have you done so as it seems premature of your landlord to be doing viewings otherwise?

jojo9239

In short not a lot. You can make demands but it may rock the boat we have been in the process since June and hope to complete at end of November but even then it could be longer. I think you have started the detachment/packing process too soon and now your eager to get out trust me I've been there (about 2 months ago) but if you love that house you will have to wait as none of it is your vendors problem x

always_sunny

You're in a chain... you can ask away but the owner has 2 options
A) They can move into a rental so you can move in
Wait till the new build is ready

It seems like they're choosing B.
You can give them a nudge saying that your mortgage offer will expire after 6 months it was issued... but that will not make the new build be ready any faster really!

I wanted to move fast so I avoided places with a chain for that reason.

G_M

Davesnave wrote: »

But as deanna says, even if you have given notice, it will take 2 or 3 months from your end date for your landlord to evict, and they'll probably not wish to do that if you maintain your payments, which will still be putting a roof over your head.

Though beware of

Distress For Rent Act 1747 S18 (Double rent if tenant fails to leave after giving notice) explanation

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

Though beware of

Distress For Rent Act 1747 S18 (Double rent if tenant fails to leave after giving notice) explanation

I might have guessed!!:o

Still better than a park bench at Christmas!