Discovering faults on moving out day

newtothis141414

Hi all
I'm a first time seller and I'm a natural worrier. We've exchanged contracts a few days ago and have set completion dates. We've been honest throughout the sales process in all our declarations, and the banks survey came back ok for the buyer. It was surprisingly thorough, and there was no other survey.

We've had a full survey done when we bought the place and did a lot of renovations (well, paid someone to do them!). I'm worried though that on moving day we take away furniture and discover a fault, like a loose floorboard or damp patch or mouldy or what have you. As I've said, there's no reason for us to believe this would happen, but if it did, what's the procedure? We'd I'm obviously let the solicitor know right? Would it stop the sale? Would we renegotiate? Could our chain collapse?

Sorry for the questions, they may sound naive or silly but they do worry me. Thanks for your input.

silvercar

You sold your home in the condition it was at exchange. You have no obligation to notify the buyer, your solicitor or anyone else of faults you find between exchange and completion. Even before exchange it is generally for the buyer to do their own research.

Davesnave

newtothis141414 wrote: »

I'm worried though that on moving day we take away furniture and discover a fault, like a loose floorboard or damp patch or mouldy or what have you. As I've said, there's no reason for us to believe this would happen, but if it did, what's the procedure? We'd I'm obviously let the solicitor know right? Would it stop the sale? Would we renegotiate? Could our chain collapse?

Sorry for the questions, they may sound naive or silly but they do worry me. Thanks for your input.

Nothing will stop the sale; it's impossible at that stage.

The buyer is responsible for satisfying themselves about the condition of the house and, rather obviously, you cannot be held responsible for not declaring defects you don't know about.

Are you in Scotland? Things are different there, but they still have ways to deal with matters arising after the new owner takes possession.

G_M

silvercar wrote: »

You sold your home in the condition it was at exchange. You have no obligation to notify the buyer, your solicitor or anyone else of faults you find between exchange and completion. .

See the critical underlined word.

If you find a fault between Exchange and Completion which existed before Exchange (and provided you were honest in your answers even if through ignorance), then you're fine.

But if a fault develops between Exchange and Completion (eg the boiler breaks down) then you are responsible - as silvercar says, "You sold your home in the condition it was at exchange."

newtothis141414

Thank you all.

Davesnave, we are in England.

G_M as luck wou,d have it our boiler did break down but just before exchange. We had it fixed and to,d our solicitor who said we didn't need to declare it as it now works, as it did when the buyers viewed the property.

[Deleted User]

Definitely over thinking. It does happen, but not overly likely. Just concentrate on packing up. If you are packing, moving furniture around, you will probably find things well in advance of moving anyway.