Moving out before completion day - any thoughts?

Falafels

My house in the West Midlands is SSTC, and we're talking about a completion date of 16th October. We haven't exchanged yet. My purchaser is extremely keen; indeed, she has already arranged to take over phone and broadband.

The reason for my sale is that I'm relocating to join my partner in Yorkshire. Incidentally, I've just been made redundant from my job, but have a new one lined up in Yorkshire starting in November.

As I'm not dependent on an onward sale and have somewhere to go to, are there any caveats about moving out earlier in the week of October 16th? It would take away the stress of getting everything out on completion day, the removals costs would be less because of not moving on a Friday, and the estate agents have the keys in any case. I signed the contract yonks ago and it rests with my solicitor.

If exchange/completion were delayed, I'd just continue to pay bills and council tax until such time as it did complete, checking the house and garden regularly and informing my insurance company of the changes. If the whole sale collapses and I have to put it back on the market, moving just enough furniture back to make it look pretty would not be a problem.

Can anyone see a problem with this plan? Is there anything else I need to think about?

AdrianC

No, you're absolutely free to move out whenever you want before completion.

As you say, you'll still be liable for utilities and CT - but given we're talking about a week and a bit...

AnotherJoe

Of course not. You are free to do what you want its your house !

Only potential  issue, as you say is if it all falls through, needing to move furniture back.

Falafels

AnotherJoe said:

Only potential  issue, as you say is if it all falls through, needing to move furniture back.

It will be the very picture of 'uncluttered living' if it comes to that! 

ProDave

AnotherJoe said:

Of course not. You are free to do what you want its your house !

Only potential  issue, as you say is if it all falls through, needing to move furniture back.

We had a sale fall through after we moved out early (buyer withdrew the day before expected exchange)  the property was simply re marketed without furniture.

eddddy

You'd also be paying other stuff, like the mortgage, buildings insurance etc.

You might want to turn off the mains water whilst it's empty - with a note for the new owners of how to turn it back on again.

But if the sale is delayed, you'll need to check your insurance. It may say that the house mustn't be unoccupied for more than 30 days.  And if the weather starts getting colder, you might want to set heating thermostats to stop the house freezing etc,

But apart from those kinds of issues, there shouldn't be any problems.

Falafels

eddddy said:

You'd also be paying other stuff, like the mortgage, buildings insurance etc.

You might want to turn off the mains water whilst it's empty - with a note for the new owners of how to turn it back on again.

But if the sale is delayed, you'll need to check your insurance. It may say that the house mustn't be unoccupied for more than 30 days.  And if the weather starts getting colder, you might want to set heating thermostats to stop the house freezing etc,

But apart from those kinds of issues, there shouldn't be any problems.

No mortgage, and I guess all the other stuff is standard for unoccupied properties. The more I think about it, the more it looks like a good idea!

Flugelhorn

not a problem and in many ways less stressful than moving on completion day, we recently moved out a week before completion and then returned to clean the place

Falafels

ProDave said:

AnotherJoe said:

Of course not. You are free to do what you want its your house !

Only potential  issue, as you say is if it all falls through, needing to move furniture back.

We had a sale fall through after we moved out early (buyer withdrew the day before expected exchange)  the property was simply re marketed without furniture.

Did you have any problems with selling an empty property, or was there plenty of interest from the start? I guess the estate agents will still have the photos showing what it looks like furnished....

hazyjo

Only negative I can think of is that many buyers have a final view before exchange and I suppose they may see it through different eyes.

If there's a week or so between exchange/completion, I'd wait until exchange. If same day, take the gamble and go.

Might want to check your insurance too. Obviously houses can be left when people go on holiday, but there will be a number of weeks that will cause an issue with cover if empty.

Good luck!

greatcrested

Check your insurance definition of 'unoccupied'. Generally you cannot leave the property 'unoccupied' for more than 30 (or 45, 60) days.  This won't be a problem if the sale goes through, but if it collapses you will need to review your insurance.

Otherwise, no problem.

Biggest issue is the buyer jumping the gun and taking over your utilities before even Exchanging!