When is acceptable to request access to a property?

Lancs1234

Hoping this isn't a silly question, but we are FTB hoping to complete buying a house ASAP. 
There is no chain involved as the seller has already bought another property and from what I have been told by the estate agent has moved in. 

We were wondering if it is acceptable at any point to request access to the property to measure up for a few changes we would like to make? If so when is it deemed acceptable?

Currently we are at the stage where we have our mortgage offer and solicitors have sent off searches (expected back within 10 days in our area currently). We are aware that before exchange the sale could fall through at any point and something could crop up/the seller could pull out however it would be useful to us to get in to measure up on the back of 4-12 week wait times. 

Comms69

Once searches come back and basically all youre waiting for is exchange id say it's ok. 

But if it's empty now, then basically the issue will be solely down to - can someone spare time to let you in

lincroft1710

If you're going to make changes why do you need to measure up now? 

Lancs1234

lincroft1710 said:

If you're going to make changes why do you need to measure up now? 

Part of it is to measure the size of things such as the space for washer, dryer, fridge etc as they are currently in a utility that has been made to fit. Given they tend to vary in width by up to 100mm we'd rather know they fit. Currently for what we are looking for we are looking at a 4 week minimum wait for things to be in stock and the less time without these the better for obvious reason - if its not normally seen as acceptable we were going to ask if he would measure these as the seller does visit the house every so often. The seller is a tradesman so it's not exactly something difficult/alien to him.
We also want to make a few bigger changes, and I currently work in a school so its now the perfect time to be doing these. We are looking at a completion towards the end of august potentially but being able to get these things done before heading back to work in September would be brilliant. 

Yes we may be being cheeky, but as FTBs we are trying to work out what would be acceptable... If I was the seller I wouldn't have a problem with that. 

hazyjo

You shouldn't order anything until exchange. It could all fall through and then you'll be stuck with appliances you may not need.

If you want to view again, just ask to view It's perfectly normal.

princeofpounds

You're basically asking for a third (or whatever) viewing? You can ask at any time. It's wise to ensure the agent understands you are only interested in taking some measurements for planning purposes, just so that the vendor doesn't worry about you getting cold feet.

You can ask at any time, but as Comms69 suggests it may be more warmly received once you have made some progress on the transaction. It's not at all uncommon and it's especially not rude if the property is already vacant.

greatcrested

You can ask for as many viewings as you want. Most sellers and agents will facilitate this within reason. After all, you are spending several 00,000 £s!

[Deleted User]

Lancs1234 said:

lincroft1710 said:

If you're going to make changes why do you need to measure up now? 

We also want to make a few bigger changes, and I currently work in a school so its now the perfect time to be doing these. We are looking at a completion towards the end of august potentially but being able to get these things done before heading back to work in September would be brilliant. 

Perhaps I have misunderstood your comment, but you do know you can't make any changes to the house until after you complete? 

Lancs1234

Deleted_User said:

Lancs1234 said:

lincroft1710 said:

If you're going to make changes why do you need to measure up now? 

We also want to make a few bigger changes, and I currently work in a school so its now the perfect time to be doing these. We are looking at a completion towards the end of august potentially but being able to get these things done before heading back to work in September would be brilliant. 

Perhaps I have misunderstood your comment, but you do know you can't make any changes to the house until after you complete? 

Yes obviously, but being prepared and ensuring you can get everything needed is helpful. With Covid lots of people have been doing plenty to their homes, meaning lots of things have longer wait times due to factories being closed etc. Being able to order something sooner rather than later may be the difference between it arriving in August or September. If it arrives early it can be sorted until completion not an issue.

hazyjo

Lancs1234 said:

Deleted_User said:

Lancs1234 said:

lincroft1710 said:

If you're going to make changes why do you need to measure up now? 

We also want to make a few bigger changes, and I currently work in a school so its now the perfect time to be doing these. We are looking at a completion towards the end of august potentially but being able to get these things done before heading back to work in September would be brilliant. 

Perhaps I have misunderstood your comment, but you do know you can't make any changes to the house until after you complete? 

Yes obviously, but being prepared and ensuring you can get everything needed is helpful. With Covid lots of people have been doing plenty to their homes, meaning lots of things have longer wait times due to factories being closed etc. Being able to order something sooner rather than later may be the difference between it arriving in August or September. If it arrives early it can be sorted until completion not an issue.

Did you read my earlier post? Crazy to order anything before exchange.

babyblade41

whoa , hold on for a little while... get the transactions further down the road yet.  Searches could take a while and in those searches something might come up . Have the surveys come back Ok ? 
My last purchase should have been the easiest ever as 2 buyers, both cash and only 2 in a chain.. it was one of the longest I've had .