Completion Date - What time do I get the keys?

amz84uk

I've bought a house that I saw in December 07, and the paperwork has been going through since Feb 08 when the offer was accepted etc.

My solicitor and lender have had everything in place since April, but the Seller has been dragging his feet. I gave an ultimatum that if they don't Exchange Contracts and if the Completion Date cannot be agreed to Thurs 12 June, I am withdrawing.... surprise surprise, they Exchanged Contracts within 30minutes! (They have been dragging it out, as they want to move elsewhere, but at the time of viewing, they said that there is "no chain" as they'll be moving in with their parents).

Now the problem is that my solicitor has said I'll get the keys on Thursday from the Estate Agents around midday. Just spoken to the Estate Agent who is totally unaware that I'll get the keys on Thursday, and more so, he said I wouldn't get the keys until late afternoon.

Can anyone clarify what time on the Completion Date I should get the keys, and advise worse-case scenario, that the Seller doesn't move out on the date, or whether they even leave loads of stuff behind expecting to come and collect it after a few days/weeks. Where do I stand legally?

Thanks in advance.

claireac

We're completing on Friday. We have to take the keys to ea by mid-day.

The time that you would get your keys depends on when the seller receives your money. Their solicitor will confirm with ea that they can release the keys to you. So it's down to solicitors and banks I believe!!

Sorry not an accurate answer!

N79

I'm sorry if this answer is obvious, but you can have the keys only after you have paid for the property. This will depend on how long the banks take to transfer the money. It can happen by 0915 or it can taken until 1630.

Once the money has arrived the house is yours and you should have vacant posession. If not then I would suggest crossing that bridge when the time comes.

PasturesNew

My guesstimate would be "by 2pm".

Might be 1pm. But I'd say "lunchtime"

amz84uk

Thanks for the quick responses. Totally understand that funds must have cleared into the Sellers account etc, but their Solicitor is a tad too slow with communication (deliberate in some way, as they are biased towards letting their client stay in the Property).

My Solicitor had left several messages with them - all of which were ignored. They left a message saying that I'm going to withdraw my offer, and they miraculously returned the call immediately.

I want to be prepared for all eventualities on the day. My Solicitor & Lender will be transferring the funds immediately on Thursday, but I am concerned that their side will refuse to acknowledge receipt of this until late evening, and then the EA will shut (shuts at 5pm), and then I'll have to wait till Friday.

BenL

Hopefully your dragging heals seller will be boxing things up and have most stuff in the van ready to go.

I have read stories on here about sellers starting to pack once they have the money!

With my 1st house it was slow going, we were ftb and the money was sent 9am to start the chain off upwards.

We got the keys at 17:30 as the seller was packing and messing about not leaving until they had the keys for their new place.

amz84uk

BenL wrote: »

Hopefully your dragging heals seller will be boxing things up and have most stuff in the van ready to go.

I have read stories on here about sellers starting to pack once they have the money!

With my 1st house it was slow going, we were ftb and the money was sent 9am to start the chain off upwards.

We got the keys at 17:30 as the seller was packing and messing about not leaving until they had the keys for their new place.

I just hope that they've started packing already. They are both teachers and I don't really see them taking days off to pack - another possible reason as to why they have been delaying it, so that they can move when it is more convenient for them (in the Summer Hols).

They know which car I drive, so I don't really fancy my chances driving there to see if they have started packing. I had been in regular contact with the Seller, but he lied to me constantly about signing the contract, and that he is happy to move out asap - which he clearly isn't.

I just hope that things go smoothly on Thursday, as if I don't have the keys by 5pm, it won't be until Friday, and I can't afford to take another day off on Friday. I also hope that he doesn't take fixtures & fittings that we've agreed to buy, as I really can do without the hassle!

claireac

BenL wrote: »

Hopefully your dragging heals seller will be boxing things up and have most stuff in the van ready to go.

I have read stories on here about sellers starting to pack once they have the money!

With my 1st house it was slow going, we were ftb and the money was sent 9am to start the chain off upwards.

We got the keys at 17:30 as the seller was packing and messing about not leaving until they had the keys for their new place.

Flipping hell and there was me worried about getting out couple of days before to leave the house clean :eek:

Jorgan_2

N79 wrote: »

I'm sorry if this answer is obvious, but you can have the keys only after you have paid for the property. This will depend on how long the banks take to transfer the money. It can happen by 0915 or it can taken until 1630.

Once the money has arrived the house is yours and you should have vacant posession. If not then I would suggest crossing that bridge when the time comes.

Agree with the above. There is no set time for completion, its when the sellers solicitor receives the money from the buyers solicitor. If it hasn't happened by 1pm, prepare to kick your heels for an hour as the solicitors will be going for lunch, so nothing happens.

Make sure the EA has your contact numbers, don't assume they have them.

Bogof_Babe

The fixtures and fittings should have been detailed on the seller's paperwork, so if you find they have taken anything they said they were leaving then you can demand they return it and pay for it to be re-fitted if necessary. If you are so near completion you must have the f&f sheet amongst your documentation from your solicitor somewhere.

Ulfar

Be prepared to put boot to !!!.

I received the keys on a property only to get round there and find they had a spare set and hadn't packed.

I gave them one hour to remove their property at which point I would be calling a locksmith to change the locks and anything left would be put in a skip.

It's amazing how quick people can move when they have too.