Moving house monday expecting hassle from sellers not rushing

Tabieth

 What else are you supposed to do on completion day?  Where are you and all your stuff going to go?  This is an everyday occurence that goes wrong so rarely that having a backup shouldn’t be necessary.

 And completion is due on Monday, broadband install Tuesday - so there’s no good reason for the Vendors to cancel.

No, no reason for the seller to cancel broadband if it’s booked for the day after completion. 

As for completion day. Maybe not tie yourself into a hard 2pm deadline? You already know the sellers are dragging their feet so there’s a higher than normal chance of things going wrong. Plus, if there’s a chain then all the funds may not have transferred by that time. Having the removal firm with you all day seems much more sensible. Or move out of your house, you book into a hotel and your stuff stays in the van overnight, for moving in the following day? If your removal firm are saying they have to be in by 2pm, I’d absolutely be drafting a plan B right now. 

kentboy101

I'm with them on the broadband sorry. Its not your house yet. If someone tried to do that to me I would sure cancel it. 

On all other aspects they are being unreasonable. Just be prepared for this on moving day.

EssexHebridean

Tabieth said:

I’d say that moving in on completion day is always a bit of a gamble. What happens if the funds take longer than expected to transfer? They might not arrive into the seller’s solicitor until late afternoon. Added in possible delays with the seller moving out, it’s asking for trouble. I’d say being in by 2pm isn’t that likely - sorry! 

Regarding broadband, is the day you arranged the switch completion day? Again, until funds have been received, you don’t own it. What happens if BT turned up at 9am and completion occurred at 5pm? I don’t think it unreasonable for them to cancel the stitch if that’s the situation. 

Actually in most cases people are in by around 2pm - it's actually quite unusual for things to run much behind lunchtime - but regardless, most removals firms still give a full day to each job - and price accordingly. they are well aware that although that timing is "usual" it does only take one delay along the line to throw things out - that can be a hold-up in money being sent, or something as daft as sellers deciding to go for a pub lunch before dropping the keys at the agents, rather than after...! 

The usual for switches is for energy to be done on the day, broadband to be sent up for after completion day though - maybe only a single day after, but certainly for a time when the property is definitely going to be in the new owners possession! 

GixerKate said:

It sounds like a very stressful situation thats for sure.  

I would be a little concerned about the removals company and their 2pm hard cut - off, I've moved a few times and never been able to be in by that time.  Last time the banks just took a while (hours) to process the payments and we just had to wait until we got the nod that the payments had gone through, the longer the chain the longer the delays.  I think we were in the new place at 5pmish and it was an empty new build, it just took that long for the bank to do their thing.

When we moved a couple of years ago completion was just before midday, we dropped the keys at the agents just before 1, and were in the new hour at around 1.15. The removals guys were all unloaded and getting their tip by 3.30 which we were all pretty impressed with! It can be done - those sorts of timings aren't that unusual, but you're correct, it would be extremely rate for everything to be wrapped up, done and dusted by 2pm. 

The question for the OP is what happens if (when) they aren't in at that time? Do the removal men take the truck back to their warehouse, empty everything there, and commence charging storage fees? 

Hoenir

GixerKate said:

I would be a little concerned about the removals company and their 2pm hard cut - off, I've moved a few times and never been able to be in by that time. 

Totally agree. On one occasion we weren't released the keys until 3.45.  Removals didn't finish until late. 

Slinky

When we sold last but one house, the completion money disappeared! Completion took place on the Friday, money arrived with our solicitors who sent it on, but it didn't appear in our account until the following Wednesday. Fortunately our sale wasn't tied into another purchase, so whilst worrying, wasn't catastrophic as we were already in our new home, but it could have been horrendously stressful if there was a chain on beyond us. Solicitors and bank blamed each other.

Myci85

I would agree thinking up a back up plan, otherwise I can quite imagine you trying to empty an entire house full of contents onto the pavement outside your new house whilst waiting for the keys. 
We had a very small chain (our vendors buying empty house, then us) and completion didn't happen until about 3pm. Thankfully we weren't moving in until a week later so it made no difference to us. 

[Deleted User]

laidbackgjr said:

[Deleted User] said:

Heres a nice one from the sellers. Just spend an hour on the phone to vodafone.

The current owners cancelled my planned broadband switch for Tuesday (when I'll own the house - bear in the mind the completion date was confirmed yesterday). Apparently, and it seems sensible, BT check with the current owners to ensure they're aware.

This switch was booked about a week ago when we all verbally agreed so its not like its new request. So the sellers have waited until today then done this. I can only assume they've done this because they're unhappy to pushed the deal for the 3rd (had no choice!)

Nuts. Another 2 day wait for broadband now - assuming they don't cancel this one. (My solicitor has contacted their to tell them to cut it out).

Oh and I hadn't even officially said no to their request to delay the move on the day. I calmed down and promised the solicitor I'd see what was possible. I even went out of my way to speak to the Removals (sadly they said 2pm is the latest they can do so my hands are tied!).

And they want us to do them a favour????

Look at it from their perspective - you've not yet paid for their house and you are trying to disconnect their services. 

Your agreement for 2pm with the removals is your problem, if your money isn't with the sellers until 4pm, then 4pm is when you start to move in - all perfectly normal - in a chain it can take most of the day for the money to flow through.

Disconnect it AFTER they'd have moved out.

I have insurance to cover late completion to pay for overtime for Removal company - it does not cover selfish people who can't get organised.

[Deleted User]

Tabieth said:

 What else are you supposed to do on completion day?  Where are you and all your stuff going to go?  This is an everyday occurence that goes wrong so rarely that having a backup shouldn’t be necessary.

 And completion is due on Monday, broadband install Tuesday - so there’s no good reason for the Vendors to cancel.

No, no reason for the seller to cancel broadband if it’s booked for the day after completion. 

As for completion day. Maybe not tie yourself into a hard 2pm deadline? You already know the sellers are dragging their feet so there’s a higher than normal chance of things going wrong. Plus, if there’s a chain then all the funds may not have transferred by that time. Having the removal firm with you all day seems much more sensible. Or move out of your house, you book into a hotel and your stuff stays in the van overnight, for moving in the following day? If your removal firm are saying they have to be in by 2pm, I’d absolutely be drafting a plan B right now. 

They will stay and  I have insurance to cover late completion. It does not cover "failure of previous owner to get out"

[Deleted User]

Tabieth said:

I’d say that moving in on completion day is always a bit of a gamble. What happens if the funds take longer than expected to transfer? They might not arrive into the seller’s solicitor until late afternoon. Added in possible delays with the seller moving out, it’s asking for trouble. I’d say being in by 2pm isn’t that likely - sorry! 

Regarding broadband, is the day you arranged the switch completion day? Again, until funds have been received, you don’t own it. What happens if BT turned up at 9am and completion occurred at 5pm? I don’t think it unreasonable for them to cancel the stitch if that’s the situation. 

Day after completion so why they cancelled it I don't know.

[Deleted User]

Just to clarify I've spoken to them again and the removal company won't just bail out and go home. I have insurance which covers late completion.
I guess they have to pay overtime so this seems wise.

It does not cover delays caused by the previous owner not being organised. Think it from the Removals companies point of view - why should they wait until for example 5pm when you have the keys at 1pm? People want to get paid if they work extra.

I've had a massive sob story from the vendors about how emotionally and mentally stressed they are and we've got to give them time to pack. Jeez didn't they know they were moving????