chain-free property sale - seller delays moving out without a good reason

Mattti

Hi,
We are buyers of a chain-free property and are just about to exchange contracts. Currently, we’re renting and are eager to move as soon as possible. We assumed the seller could move out at any time and wasn’t required to stay in the property until completion. However, we’ve just learned that not only has the seller not moved out yet, but he also wants a four-week period between exchange and completion to handle his belongings (we have a lot to move as well). Four weeks feels like quite a stretch and this is not good enough reason for such a delay. 

To our further frustration, the seller has proposed a completion date of December 20th, which would make it a six-week wait if we exchanged contracts today. This timing is especially inconvenient, landing right before Christmas when many services and businesses are closed, which would disrupt our holiday plans. We feel this is quite inconsiderate, as our chain-free status was supposed to benefit both sides.

Our solicitor understands our position and agrees with our concerns; they will be negotiating with the seller’s solicitors on our behalf. Still, I’m worried that if the seller is insistent, there may not be much we can do. Do you have any suggestions on how to approach this?
Thank you!

TheSpectator

Why did you assume they would move out before completion? You can't move in before completion. 

You either accept the completion date or negotiate an earlier one.

Rodders53

1) Walk away.

2) Propose an alternative post-Holidays date - say 20th January 2025.

Linton

If you find the seller’s date inconvenient because of the holiday period why not propose  completing after the new year? If the seller does not want further delay you  both may be able to compromise on an earlier date.

You have to work with the seller to get a date both sides can accept. There is no other way, unless you want to pull out of the deal.

Mattti

TheSpectator said:

Why did you assume they would move out before completion? You can't move in before completion. 

You either accept the completion date or negotiate an earlier one.

We don’t want to move before completion, but afterward. There’s no valid reason for him to set the completion date that far out. With no chain sales, completion can be easily set  2 weeks after exchange.

Mattti

Rodders53 said:

1) Walk away.

2) Propose an alternative post-Holidays date - say 20th January 2025.

Thank you for advice, we rather want to avoid first option, second waiting for completion that long without any good reason ...and paying rent

TheJP

Mattti said:

TheSpectator said:

Why did you assume they would move out before completion? You can't move in before completion. 

You either accept the completion date or negotiate an earlier one.

We don’t want to move before completion, but afterward. There’s no valid reason for him to set the completion date that far out. With no chain sales, completion can be easily set  2 weeks after exchange.

The seller has given you reasons as to his proposed date, all you can do is negotiate a slightly earlier date, stick with the date or walk away.

How close to exchange are you? Has all enquiries been sorted etc?

Mattti

Linton said:

If you find the seller’s date inconvenient because of the holiday period why not propose  completing after the new year? If the seller does not want further delay you  both may be able to compromise on an earlier date.

You have to work with the seller to get a date both sides can accept. There is no other way, unless you want to pull out of the deal.

Today is November 7th, so it's nearly six weeks until December 20th. For a chain-free sale, a six-week gap between exchange and completion is excessive. Two weeks should be more than sufficient to move without rushing—unless the seller is actually part of a chain.

oldernonethewiser

Mattti said:

TheSpectator said:

Why did you assume they would move out before completion? You can't move in before completion. 

You either accept the completion date or negotiate an earlier one.

We don’t want to move before completion, but afterward. There’s no valid reason for him to set the completion date that far out. With no chain sales, completion can be easily set  2 weeks after exchange.

The seller presumably feels they have a valid reason.

Mattti

TheJP said:

Mattti said:

TheSpectator said:

Why did you assume they would move out before completion? You can't move in before completion. 

You either accept the completion date or negotiate an earlier one.

We don’t want to move before completion, but afterward. There’s no valid reason for him to set the completion date that far out. With no chain sales, completion can be easily set  2 weeks after exchange.

The seller has given you reasons as to his proposed date, all you can do is negotiate a slightly earlier date, stick with the date or walk away.

How close to exchange are you? Has all enquiries been sorted etc?

The seller hasn’t provided any real reason for the delay, other than needing time to move his belongings. He could have started the process once the offer was accepted, especially since he mentioned during viewing that he’s moving in with his partner and they already have a place. On our end, all documents are signed, and the deposit has been paid.

Hoenir

Have you spoken to the Estate Agent. See if they can help with negotiations. Also find out the sellers status.