What happens if we can't get a removal sorted in time?

fluffymuffy

We agreed to a moving date this week based on exchange of contracts last week. It was tight but we managed to find a removal company who will pack the day before as well as the actual move. Now some days have passed and there's been a problem with the chain and contracts have not been exchanged. What will happen if we lose the slot with the removal company and can't find another? We were supposed to be moving later this week and are unable to pack anything due to disability.

user1977

If you haven't exchanged then you'll need to re-agree a completion date which you can manage.

horsewithnoname

fluffymuffy said:

We agreed to a moving date this week based on exchange of contracts last week. It was tight but we managed to find a removal company who will pack the day before as well as the actual move. Now some days have passed and there's been a problem with the chain and contracts have not been exchanged. What will happen if we lose the slot with the removal company and can't find another? We were supposed to be moving later this week and are unable to pack anything due to disability.

Most removals companies are used to delays, you are best asking the company and seeing what dates they can do and see if you can rearrange for one of them. 

eddddy

fluffymuffy said:

We agreed to a moving date this week based on exchange of contracts last week. It was tight but we managed to find a removal company who will pack the day before as well as the actual move. Now some days have passed and there's been a problem with the chain and contracts have not been exchanged. What will happen if we lose the slot with the removal company and can't find another? We were supposed to be moving later this week and are unable to pack anything due to disability.

When you exchange contracts, you will agree a completion date - which will also be your moving date.

Once you've exchanged contracts, that moving date is 'set in stone'.  You need to have a removal company to move all your belongings (and yourselves) out by that date.  If you don't, you'll be in breach of contract - which could be a financial disaster for you.


One way of reducing the risk is by insisting that you have a long period between exchange of contracts and completion - maybe 2 or 3 or 4 weeks.  That will give you more time to find a removal company (and getting other things sorted).


It sounds like you have agreed a 'tentative moving date' - but that date isn't binding, because you haven't exchanged contracts. So you can change that.

Bigphil1474

We contacted 3 different removal companies and decided which one we were going to use before exchange, but didn't confirm until actual exchange. Most have a cancellation policy where, worst case scenario, you lose your money and don't get any service if they can't move you on a different day. Best speak to them asap and keep them informed as and when you know what is happening. 

PRAISETHESUN

If you haven't exchanged contracts then the dates are not set in stone, so they can (and often do) move about. Any new date is up for negotiation at that point, so there's nothing stopping you from negotiating for an alternate date that you can arrange a removal for. Alternatively, would getting packed up early and moving your belongings to storage for the duration be an option?

Badboi

Could always put it in storage, we had to when we moved, had to for 9 days due to delays further down the chain

DullGreyGuy

fluffymuffy said:

We agreed to a moving date this week based on exchange of contracts last week. It was tight but we managed to find a removal company who will pack the day before as well as the actual move. Now some days have passed and there's been a problem with the chain and contracts have not been exchanged. What will happen if we lose the slot with the removal company and can't find another? We were supposed to be moving later this week and are unable to pack anything due to disability.

Until you exchange dates aren't set but are just provisionally agreed. It's sensible to agree a reasonable gap between exchange and completion which gives you more chance of an orderly process. 

You ultimately can find another, it's just a matter of if you are willing to pay the price that they will charge. There is absolutely 0 chance that every single lorry in the country is fully booked up for any single date and if budgets aren't constrained people will find a way to make it work. 

If you cannot afford the only options you can find then you are likely to find yourself squatting in someone else's home with them and their removal people on the doorstep. You will ultimately have to compensate them for their financial losses (removal fees, costs of a hotel etc etc) and if its shown you have acted in bad faith then you may owe them compensation on top of this. 

fluffymuffy

Apparently, we are still waiting for the go ahead. We have to book packing and removal today at risk of it not going ahead at all. The completion date is movable but the next possible date for all parties is next year. 

DullGreyGuy

fluffymuffy said:

Apparently, we are still waiting for the go ahead. We have to book packing and removal today at risk of it not going ahead at all. The completion date is movable but the next possible date for all parties is next year. 

Possibly or possibly not... people come up with all sorts of stories to try and put pressure on the other parties. When the deal doesn't actually get completed when they want they often row back from the statement that it has to wait X months then. 

saajan_12

If you haven't exchanged, then the 'agreed' moving date was only provisional. Not set in stone, so if you can no longer make it then the parties will need to agree a new date. No reprecussions other than more delays / chance of falling through. 

Re the removal company, if you've already agreed with them or paid a deposit etc, then that's on you. .just like you weren't bound to the agreed date, you also couldn't legally rely on it so there's no recompense for any plans you made based on that date.