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

GDB2222

fourmarks said:

thegreenone said:

EssexHebridean said:

As for the suggestion that people should start packing as soon as they are marketing the property, that’s pretty much nonsense- not all properties sell particularly fast and not everyone has space for stacks of boxes about the place, plus it doesn’t look great when conducting viewings! The only obligation as far as packing goes is that it must all be done by the time completion happens, and the property empty at worst very shortly thereafter (ideally before, but that isn’t always practical).  

It's not nonsense at all. It's called being organised and getting prepared.

Three of my friends have moved in the last two years and all started packing and decluttering before going on the market.  Why can't the seller pack up his summer clothes/some books/rarely used kitchen equipment/the chest of drawers that won't fit etc etc now? 

You can cover boxes or, or he could take them to his new home and unpack them.  TBH if I was viewing and saw the vendor had already started packing, it would tell me they are committed to a move.

And then, after three months without a nibble, they can unpack everything and start washing and ironing their summer clothes. The added bonus is that they can get really fit following this regime as they stagger up and down the ladder to the loft, or hurdle over the boxes to reach the downstairs loo. I think it's a winner.

Possessions expand to fill the space available. 

EssexHebridean

This is exactly the problem. If you have been in a position where you’ve been able to do any realistic amount of packing at the point of listing, then congratulations, you have a lot of stuff you probably just don’t need - rather than packing it, just off-load it to the charity shop, sell on FB marketplace or whatever, don’t pay to move it!  The clothes argument is a red herring anyway - our removers simply said not to bother packing clothes - anything in wardrobes they just lifted off the rails and stuck on their own mobile hanging rails, and drawers were wrapped and moved as they were. I don’t believe they were particularly unusual in this! 

Murphybear

For our last few moves we’ve got the removal company to do the packing.   It cost extra but in most cases it was very little.  It took all the hassle strain/whatever away and we used to go out for a long lunch while they packed.  Most would clearly mark the boxes eg kitchen, bedroom 1,2 etc which also made it easier when they unloaded the van at the other end.  We left anything we didn’t want packed such as iPads, kettle and bits for making drinks and snacks to feed and water removal bods in the car plus a set of bedclothes to make the beds as soon as they were available.  

Watching the professionals pack made me realise it can be an art form 

Flugelhorn

we had this - chain free but they hadn't actually found (or looked at) anywhere to rent - so they wanted 8 weeks, we reluctantly agreed and then Covid happened.. 

annetheman

Sorry this isn't quite addressing your question (but all clear responses so far, so you have your options) OP, but interesting to hear perspectives on 20th December, with several people advising against it for various reasons.

20th December is our target completion date! I am chain free living with family (so can really move any time, any day), seller is selling probate empty house. Since neither of us have the hassle of *actually* moving on the day, I think 20th would be okay, noted something going wrong with bank/funds transfer might be a challenge as only Monday 23rd to fix...

If I had furniture etc to move in on the day and seller had to move out, I'd move it to January tbh. Wishing you luck, whenever your negotiated date is!

user1977

annetheman said:

I think 20th would be okay, noted something going wrong with bank/funds transfer might be a challenge as only Monday 23rd to fix...

The 24th is also a banking day...

bobster2

Usually if you're renting - then buying - a longer period between exchange and completion is a good thing for the buyer It's never a good idea to give notice to your landlord until you've exchanged - so a long period between exchange and completion can help reduce the time when you're paying rent and a mortgage.

GDB2222

user1977 said:

annetheman said:

I think 20th would be okay, noted something going wrong with bank/funds transfer might be a challenge as only Monday 23rd to fix...

The 24th is also a banking day...

Won’t an awful lot of solicitors finish work on the 20th and then not return until the new year? 

annetheman

GDB2222 said:

user1977 said:

annetheman said:

I think 20th would be okay, noted something going wrong with bank/funds transfer might be a challenge as only Monday 23rd to fix...

The 24th is also a banking day...

Won’t an awful lot of solicitors finish work on the 20th and then not return until the new year? 

20th Dec is the last day for completion with my solicitor, but she is working until 23rd, reopening on 6th January, same dates as seller's solicitor! My seller and I are both happy to aim for 20th and in the fortunate position of being able to move to Jan with minimal personal impact, unlike OP's slightly trickier situation where someone is going to be unhappy.... 

EssexHebridean

Some will finish on the 20th, but with the ability to pick up any problems on 23rd. A lot will close for the break on the 23rd - but very few will be doing any completions that day. I don’t fancy anyone’s chances of finding anyone prepared to do anything on the 24th!