Coronavirus and house viewings

Sam1509

Someone please advise me. I am selling my house to a company that rent out houses. They are getting a pretty good deal at £15k off the asking price and I have been more than accommodating with last minute viewings, allowing several people from the company to view at very short notice etc. They said they wanted a completion of 21 days which I agreed to, which potentially would have meant putting all of my belongings into storage and staying elsewhere until my purchase is ready. As it is we are now 6 weeks in, all our contracts have aligned and could be completed at the same time. However, the EA called last week and said would I be willing to facilitate viewings as the buyer wanted to premarket my property as a rental, this would show his commitment to me as a buyer etc. I agreed as I am committed to the sale and dont want to hold anything up. They have now called again this morning and asked if he can have another viewing as he wants to know where he can move walls etc. I have said no, he has viewed twice and has a virtual tour and a floor plan. The reason for this is purely because of the corona virus. Myself and my 4 children all have asthma, and my ex partner who is currently staying with us because his mum is not well has emphysema. My children are home schooled so we are pretty much self isolating so that we do not catch it as it could prove fatal to my childrens dad, or any one of us for that matter.  I have said I wanted to exchange tomorrow when my solicitor is back from his holiday with the view to complete next week. I do not want someone who has just come back from their holiday abroad coming into my house, who I equally do not know from Adam, or who they associate with potentially bringing this virus into my house. I am desperate to move. But if one of my children or my ex were to die, how could I justify my house sale over their life? Am I being too extreme here, or do i let this guy in. Personally I think that he can wait a week until he can start deciding where he moves the walls around, but he says that £125k is a lot of money to part with if he then decides on another viewing just before exchange that he doesnt want it. Up until now if have had several assurances from the EA that he is a serious buyer, but now I am not so sure. 

KPyro

I think if he's already had two viewings the most I'd be willing to do is ask if there were specific measurements or photos he was after and offer to email those over.

Sam1509

KPyro said:

I think if he's already had two viewings the most I'd be willing to do is ask if there were specific measurements or photos he was after and offer to email those over.

Thanks for your comment. I have put that to the EA already who has done the same. The measurements etc are also on the floor plan and the virtual tour. I have also been through it with the EA this morning which walls are stone, and which are plasterboard. I have also just spoken with my doctor on an unrelated matter and asked their advice, to which they said yes we must protect ourselves. I do not want to come across accommodating and would otherwise be more than willing to let him have another viewing, however I am firm than my families health comes first over a house sale. If anything should happen to any of us as a result I wouldnt think "oh well at least I sold the house". I do also appreciate that it is also common practise to have a final viewing before exchange. As we dont know how long this virus is going to have an impact for we cant drag this out indefinitely, as I am buying a new build I only have 34 days to exchange which is nearly up. 

wjr4

I'd do the same as you have already said. There is no need to risk your health for someone when you have already told them everything they need to know. 

PasturesNew

I don't think you're being extreme. I think you DO have to think in terms of risk of death right now. 

It's possible the sale might unravel, but that's just life .... it wasn't meant to be, it's a b4st4rd, it's bad timing, it's so desperately awful ... but those feelings are nothing compared to what alternate scenarios might bring about. 

Trust no-one. Let no-one over the threshold. 

What if he comes, changes his mind, then somebody dies "for nothing"?

Sam1509

PasturesNew said:

I don't think you're being extreme. I think you DO have to think in terms of risk of death right now. 

It's possible the sale might unravel, but that's just life .... it wasn't meant to be, it's a b4st4rd, it's bad timing, it's so desperately awful ... but those feelings are nothing compared to what alternate scenarios might bring about. 

Trust no-one. Let no-one over the threshold. 

What if he comes, changes his mind, then somebody dies "for nothing"?

This is precisely my thinking. I wouldnt risk anyones health for the sale of my house and I dont think hes being fair either expecting me to. My solicitor is back from holiday tomorrow, I'm hoping he can put on a bit more pressure to the logical side and the government advice etc. As I've been so accommodating etc to them so far I would hope they can see my side. If it's to check the property is in the same state they have viewed in I would offer to do this via facetime etc, but I have made it clear to the EA in no uncertain terms that I am not allowing him into my property. 

societys_child

Another viewing is not needed, he's messing you about.