Reasonable to delay exchange and completion?

ryanm8655

Currently at the 7/8 week mark since having my offer accepted and beginning the conveyancing process.

FTB, vendors buying a vacant property with no mortgage, so things are moving quickly and I think we will be ready to exchange and agree completion soon.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've now got to have an operation next week. It's a major op so I've probably got a two week hospital stay ahead and after that a couple of weeks before I can leave the house. Obviously this presents issues for exchange and completion...

I have let the estate agents know. Vendors have signed their contract and I think my solicitor is sending a contract this week for me to sign before the op (I think I can sign it with a view to giving my solicitor permission to release it via email?).

However, given my lack of mobility, ideally I'd like to be completing in December as I'm not going to be able to enter the house until then realistically.

I can probably send a family member for a pre-exchange viewing. Although I'd rather go, I appreciate delaying that until December could add significant delays. Would it be unreasonable to push completion to December (assuming everything is ready before then) or would you expect me to put up with the inconvenience and complete before I can go to the house?

Thanks!

Edit:

For further context enquiries and searches came back the week before last, just waiting on solicitors to review the file, which they're doing as I type. Mortgage etc. all sorted and vendors ready now.

Isthisforreal99

Only the vendors can say what they would consider 'reasonable', what are their onward plans?

ryanm8655

Isthisforreal99 said:

Only the vendors can say what they would consider 'reasonable', what are their onward plans?

Completely understand that but also looking for a bit of guidance on whether others would consider it reasonable based on experience.

They're buying a vacant property with no mortgage but need the cash from the sale in order to complete.

Bigphil1474

Are you mega rich and paying for your operation and care privately? If not, I'd suggest there's a possibility that your op will be cancelled, delayed etc. so delaying your life for that would seem a bad idea. Not sure why you want to delay either? Is it just because you wouldn't be able to move in straight away? If i were your vendors I'd think it was unreasonable and be miffed tbh. 

ryanm8655

Bigphil1474 said:

Are you mega rich and paying for your operation and care privately? If not, I'd suggest there's a possibility that your op will be cancelled, delayed etc. so delaying your life for that would seem a bad idea. Not sure why you want to delay either? Is it just because you wouldn't be able to move in straight away? If i were your vendors I'd think it was unreasonable and be miffed tbh. 

The op is on Monday and I was notified two weeks ago, so delays are unlikely.

I'd be looking at delaying because it's Major op, I'll be hospitalised for around two weeks and even when I get home I won't be able to leave the house. So practically, I'm not going to be in a position to move. There's no real choice over delaying my life. Unfortunately I have to.

I wouldn't be looking at an indefinite delay while I recover, it'd be about a month post op, when I am going to be far more mobile. 

Isthisforreal99

ryanm8655 said:

Isthisforreal99 said:

Only the vendors can say what they would consider 'reasonable', what are their onward plans?

Completely understand that but also looking for a bit of guidance on whether others would consider it reasonable based on experiencce

They're buying a vacant property with no mortgage but need the cash from the sale in order to complete.

Well, in their position, I would find it unreasonable but you can only ask the question - they may prefer after Christmas/New Year anyway.

user1977

ryanm8655 said:

Obviously this presents issues for exchange and completion...

Nope, not obvious at all. You don't need to be physically present to do either. People buy and sell property without even entering the country.

I would just get on with it - the only downside is you'll be paying bills for the property earlier than the date you move in.

ryanm8655

user1977 said:

ryanm8655 said:

Obviously this presents issues for exchange and completion...

Nope, not obvious at all. You don't need to be physically present to do either. People buy and sell property without even entering the country.

I would just get on with it - the only downside is you'll be paying bills for the property earlier than the date you move in.

My main concern is not being able to go into the property to check meters/make sure there are no leaks etc. Check the place hasn't been left in a state/items have been taken that shouldn't have been...as I imagine the longer issues are left unchecked, the more complicated it's going to be to resolve.

I'm not too bothered about paying bills etc.

Grumpy_chap

ryanm8655 said:

The op is on Monday and I was notified two weeks ago, so delays are unlikely.

I'd be looking at delaying because it's Major op, I'll be hospitalised for around two weeks and even when I get home I won't be able to leave the house. 

Simply do and say nothing until after the operation next week.

EssexHebridean

You can as you've said sign the contract ahead of time - your solicitor probably is going to want to speak to you on the planned morning of Completion to confirm that all is well and they should go ahead as intended - I suspect that will be all the more true if they have not spoken with you since the op. 

user1977

ryanm8655 said:

user1977 said:

ryanm8655 said:

Obviously this presents issues for exchange and completion...

Nope, not obvious at all. You don't need to be physically present to do either. People buy and sell property without even entering the country.

I would just get on with it - the only downside is you'll be paying bills for the property earlier than the date you move in.

My main concern is not being able to go into the property to check meters/make sure there are no leaks etc. Check the place hasn't been left in a state/items have been taken that shouldn't have been

Ok, but is there nobody in your life who'd be able to do that on your behalf? None of that is likely to be time-critical anyway (unless there's actually a burst pipe or they've left the gas on).