Post exchange, pre complete issues

[falkster]

Not sure if this belings here but my wife and I have just bought a new house (renting ours out) as we need to upsize due to our pension pot going to be 17k less per year (got a while yet though we're only 30 and 35).

Anyway the house wasnt the ideal one for me as it has 4 smaller bedrooms than the house we've got now but the lower floor has been extended making it the ideal place for socialising etc but also there is planning permission for a further extension to make it 5 bed which is the reason I went along with my wife.

The lower floor extension, breakfast kitchen, dining room, sitting room have had a great deal spent on them in terms of appliances, fixtures and fitting etcs but it has been badly finished. Not enough to put us off and with a good week of my builder this will be all sorted.

The problem is we exchanged on Thursday and I got a key as the lady said it would be ok to move a few things in (the house is vacant) and going there during the day light I have noticed there were cracks in the plaster. The cracks were there the second time we went to measure up for the bathroom but her builder said he would be sorting them. He hasnt sorted all of them but yesterday wass the first time I could have seen the house in day light hours.

The other issue is on exchange she told me that the front door doesnt have a key (there are two front doors), the patio doors dont have a key and neither does the new rear garage door (normal PVC door).

There is also a massive pile of rubble in the back garden that was meant to be going which is still there.

I know exchanging mean I am legally obliged to buy the house but I wasnt aware of these issues so am I within my rights to get my solicitor to hold fire on completion until these are rectyfied or ask her for the money to sort these issue or better still just tell my solicitor, do the work then bill her through her solictor?

Help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

[MJG280]

Speak to your solicitor.

[Dogwatch]

Make a list of items which concern you and give it to your solicitor - this is the sort of thing you are paying him/her lots of money to sort out. A photo of the garden rubbish might help to quell any arguments of what is to be cleared.
Prudent to change the locks anyway. It isn't clear whether the doors are openable without the keys, or locked shut. If the latter you'll need a locksmith.

[Meeja]

Be careful about moving anything into the property before completion.

It is not your property until completion, so therefore any contents *could* be removed by the seller.

Also,m your property will possibly not be insured in that property before completion.

[falkster]

Thanks all
Since signing the key undertaking I was told by my solicitor to insure the house contents as well as buildings from the day of exchange anyway.

[Aydogflipper]

HI mate, sorry to hear of the problems.

I had a smiliar issue when i bought my house.

The side of the house full of rubbish, loft full of junk also. In the contracts it was agreed the seller would provide a skip or a sum of money to get a skip and i would remove the said rubbish.

This didnt happen and when i got in contact with my solicitor it was basically said that i could chase it further to get the money for the skip but would cost me more than just going to get a skip anyway.

Really pissed me off, even though i thought i had covered myself with getting it in the paperwork.

Will never make the same mistake.

Just my experience.

[falkster]

Just spoke to my solicitor and he will still be completing today or he won't be fulfilling his side of the contract.
He did say that he will sort the issues though.
My understanding is that it is all linked to the house purchase so I wouldn't understand how it would have cost you anymore money?

[russ_a]

Our previous house was full of rubbish when we moved in too. We thought about handing the keys back etc but in the end just got a skip and cleared the lot.

Cost me £150 plus a day to sort out - but just didn't want the additional stress / hassle when moving in.

[falkster]

This has been the worst house purchase I ever had. Completed today and as one of the replies the solicitor said its pointless trying to get money from her because it'll cost me more in fees.

Shes taken all the light fittings too and left wires which Im sure isn't allowed plus all the other issues!!

Im not that bothered about the extra costs but more that someone has got one over on me!!

[Pupp]

falkster said:

Im not that bothered about the extra costs but more that someone has got one over on me!!

And that right there is the single worst reason for ever embarking on litigation. Unless it's of major significance, put it down to experience and move on.

[Landlord]

Sorry to hear it, mate. It basically boils down to the fact that other people are s.

For the sake of your health/ulcers/hairline, move on, suck-it-up, acquiesce, whatever and console yourself that you won't have to deal with her again.

[Deva Link]

Send her a bill, then sue her using MoneyClaimOnLine. Only costs a few quid.

Also manically destroy any mail that slips through the redirection.

[Landlord]

Deva Link said:

Send her a bill, then sue her using MoneyClaimOnLine. Only costs a few quid.

Also manically destroy any mail that slips through the redirection.

Unless it's the summons.