What are my legal rights as a purchaser between exchange and completion regarding vendor access

caprikid1

Cuticuraser said:

SiliconChip said:

I have to assume you're a first time buyer, as anybody who has previously bought a property to live in will be well aware that in most circumstances the seller moves out then the buyer moves in later the same day. The scenario of a buyer sitting outside their new home with their removal van while the seller frantically finishes packing and getting their belongings loaded onto their removal van is one that many people will have come up against. 

Buying a house, particularly the first one, is a stressful time but really you need to chill out and let the selling and buying process run it's course. It'll all be fine in the end.

I should add that the property has not been lived in for the past 2 years. both parties are chain free and the property is a probate (deceased parents and children inhertied it)

Makes Zero difference to the legal ownership and responsibility.

As mentioned , you are committed to buy it at completion, it is always recommended you insure it at exchange should anything go wrong IE a fire. You have no ownership till completion.

Tabieth

I should add that the property has not been lived in for the past 2 years. both parties are chain free and the property is a probate (deceased parents and children inhertied it)

It doesn’t matter. It’s not your until completion and you have no legal right of access until then. 

NervyBuyer

Maybe slightly off topic but aren't you (as the buyer) supposed to have buildings insurance form the the point of exchange? As you're committed to the purchase by then, you need protection from e.g. it burning down before completion. It's 20 years since I last bought though, still getting back up to speed with the process on my current purchase.

Tabieth

NervyBuyer said:

Maybe slightly off topic but aren't you (as the buyer) supposed to have buildings insurance form the the point of exchange? As you're committed to the purchase by then, you need protection from e.g. it burning down before completion. It's 20 years since I last bought though, still getting back up to speed with the process on my current purchase.

Yes, that’s correct. 

p00hsticks

Flugelhorn said:

most properties being sold will have people living in them until the morning of exchange 

and if exchange and completion are not on the same day, most properties being sold will have people living in them until the morning of completion (which I what I suspect you meant to say)  

Flugelhorn

p00hsticks said:

Flugelhorn said:

most properties being sold will have people living in them until the morning of exchange 

and if exchange and completion are not on the same day, most properties being sold will have people living in them until the morning of completion (which I what I suspect you meant to say)  

oh it was most definitely what I intended to say!! Just haven't had enough tea...

Cuticuraser

So what happens if they damage the property between now and completion? I have building insurance but what about small things like damage to the walls and floors while they move out the heavy items?

The property should be left in the same condition as when I viewed it, correct?

MEM62

Cuticuraser said:

SiliconChip said:

I have to assume you're a first time buyer, as anybody who has previously bought a property to live in will be well aware that in most circumstances the seller moves out then the buyer moves in later the same day. The scenario of a buyer sitting outside their new home with their removal van while the seller frantically finishes packing and getting their belongings loaded onto their removal van is one that many people will have come up against. 

Buying a house, particularly the first one, is a stressful time but really you need to chill out and let the selling and buying process run it's course. It'll all be fine in the end.

I should add that the property has not been lived in for the past 2 years. both parties are chain free and the property is a probate (deceased parents and children inhertied it)

That makes no difference.  It is their property until completion and they can come and go as they please.  At this stage it is not your house, just a property that you have agreed to purchase.  

Cuticuraser said:

So what happens if they damage the property between now and completion? I have building insurance but what about small things like damage to the walls and floors while they move out the heavy items?

The property should be left in the same condition as when I viewed it, correct?

If it gets damaged, it gets damaged.  You have no control over that.  Do you have a reason for suspecting that the vendors will not exercise due care when removing the remainder of the items? 

I am not sure what your expectations are here but it is not possible to wrap a property in cotton wool for the period between exchange and completion.  In most cases the seller is moving their entire possessions out of the house on completion day - as is the buyer and this is perfectly normal.       

Flugelhorn

Cuticuraser said:

So what happens if they damage the property between now and completion? I have building insurance but what about small things like damage to the walls and floors while they move out the heavy items?

The property should be left in the same condition as when I viewed it, correct?

have you detailed photographs of every room? 

did you do a pre-exchange viewing to check that nothing drastic had happened after your first viewing?

the property won't be in the same condition as when you viewed it - they never are, there are all sorts of things lurking behind and under furniture - marks on walls etc 

just to be warned properties often look a bit grim when they are completely empty and definitely don't like they did when you viewed it. 

DullGreyGuy

Cuticuraser said:

The property should be left in the same condition as when I viewed it, correct?

Did you read the contract you signed? 

No, life happens, it's why you have fixtures and fittings forms etc. Hence also why you were told you needed to buy home insurance on it