COVID between exchange and completion

Ramouth

We exchanged on our purchase last week (22nd July) and are due to complete this Friday (30th July).  I have just had a call from our solicitor to say that our sellers seller has tested positive for COVID and will have to isolate for 10 days which means that completion cannot take place.

We are in rented accommodation and had allowed a month overlap so that we could do some bits of work in the new house and move ourselves slowly.  We therefore inconvenienced but have suffered no material cost.

Am I correct in thinking we will not be due any kind of compensation because of this?

pinkteapot

Yes - with delayed completion you could claim for additional financial costs incurred if applicable (temporary accommodation, storage, removals cancellation charge, etc). If it doesn't cost you anything and is simply annoying then no. 

I guess 10 days means completion is delayed about a week? 

Ramouth

Yes we think so.  It’s frustrating.  We will either have to not do the work we were planning to do or pay for removals as we will run out of time.  As we don’t currently have anything booked these costs are difficult to quantify and prove.

So sick of house buying!

sammyjammy

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

Ramouth

sammyjammy said:

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

What do you mean by it sounds a bit convenient?  It is extremely inconvenient for us!

You are right though, the only thing we can do is sit and wait.

What is the point of exchange of contracts if completion date doesn’t mean anything?

I do feel for the person with COVID at the top of the chain but wonder why our seller shouldn’t have to go into temporary accommodation to meet the contacted completion date?

elsien

Ramouth said:

sammyjammy said:

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

What do you mean by it sounds a bit convenient?  It is extremely inconvenient for us!

You are right though, the only thing we can do is sit and wait.

What is the point of exchange of contracts if completion date doesn’t mean anything?

I do feel for the person with COVID at the top of the chain but wonder why our seller shouldn’t have to go into temporary accommodation to meet the contacted completion date?

Have you posed that question to your solicitor?

[Deleted User]

Presumably because they don't want to and have no need to.

user1977

Ramouth said:

sammyjammy said:

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

What is the point of exchange of contracts if completion date doesn’t mean anything?

What gives you the idea it "doesn't mean anything"? It's a binding date, if a party fails to complete on that date then they're in breach of contract and you can claim your losses (and ultimately pull out).

If your solicitor didn't explain to you what the contract meant before you exchanged, perhaps you should complain to your solicitor.

Thrugelmir

Ramouth said:

sammyjammy said:

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

I do feel for the person with COVID at the top of the chain but wonder why our seller shouldn’t have to go into temporary accommodation to meet the contacted completion date?

That's a major inconvenience for the sake of a week. Would you be so accommodating if you were in their shoes. I suspect not. 

wilfred30

I think there could be a danger of the delay dragging on for much longer if the person becomes very unwell and, potentially. hospitalised.

If that happens, the situation the OP currently finds themselves in could be very much worse!

sammyjammy

Ramouth said:

sammyjammy said:

Sounds a bit convenient to me but just sit tight and wait it out, nothing else you can do if you won't be financially out of pocket.

What do you mean by it sounds a bit convenient?  It is extremely inconvenient for us!

You are right though, the only thing we can do is sit and wait.

What is the point of exchange of contracts if completion date doesn’t mean anything?

I do feel for the person with COVID at the top of the chain but wonder why our seller shouldn’t have to go into temporary accommodation to meet the contacted completion date?

I meant convenient for them not you!  I'm not saying its not true but is a good get out if there is some unexpected delay their end.  Hope things go ok from here on in.

Sam