Allowing buyer access to a property after exchanging contracts?

[Deleted User]

I've exchanged on a house that I've sold under auction conditions and completion has to be within 20 x days but will be sooner most likely. The buyer has asked the auction agent if they can have access to the property before the house contract has completed to take a builder, architect regarding planning and planning permissions and of course a valuer.
A valuer of course is an understandable and reasonable request so what about the others and is it normal and legally prudent to allow them access and if so then would it be better if I accompanied them or left it to the auctioneers agent to handle this do you think? Thank you

canaldumidi

I see no problem to allowing access provided this is not overnight or 'moving in'. But for valuation,builders etc, why not? Either accompany them yourself, or use a trusted, friend, agent, auctioneer or whoever.

As an unusual and extreme example, a buyer once let me have acces every day to paint, re-carpet, and even fit new windows. By the date of Completion the house was pristine and tenants moved in 3 days later......

user1977

Nothing alarming about that, and generally professionals are trusted to visit properties without needing somebody to look over their shoulder.

[Deleted User]

canaldumidi said:

I see no problem to allowing access provided this is not overnight or 'moving in'. But for valuation,builders etc, why not? Either accompany them yourself, or use a trusted, friend, agent, auctioneer or whoever.

As an unusual and extreme example, a buyer once let me have acces every day to paint, re-carpet, and even fit new windows. By the date of Completion the house was pristine and tenants moved in 3 days later......

That's a good example of getting it done in good time! The vendor was very nice to allow that.

user1977 said:

Nothing alarming about that, and generally professionals are trusted to visit properties without needing somebody to look over their shoulder.

Ok thanks. I'll instruct the auctioneers that they can get access whenever needed and that it won't be a problem. I didn't know if there was any potential legal issue or if it wasn't "normal"