Request keys before signing?

Would it be possible / advisable or has anybody done the same previously?

Request access to a second hand house we are purchasing say, 2 weeks prior to completing the deal to allow builders to get in and get some of the heavy work out of the way before we move in....??

Obviously the danger is that the vendor pulls out of the deal and therefore we lose out on the cost of the builder as we have got work done to a house that we are now not going to move into.

Interested to see if anybody has done similar previously as do not want to have to rent or stay in hotel for up to 2 weeks with small babies while heavy building work is ongoing

Read this:
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=96175
Don't get ahead of yourself, wait till it's all legally signed off

Possible yes
Advisable no

I think the phrase "better safe than sorry" would apply here.

By requesting the keys early, you are leaving yourself exposed to a cost far greater than 2/3 weeks rent if you planning on some costly work.

That said, I took the chance before and it worked out ok for me. It was in a new development however so the chances of the builder pulling out were rather slim but article above will demonstrate...its not the vendor withdrawing from the deal that should concern you.

Risk is also to the seller that you could wreck his house! I wouldn't do and can't imagine any solictors advising their clients to allow it but I guess it is up to both parties so no harm asking

Its real simple.

Hand over money - get keys. No money - no keys.

Anyone agreeing to anything else is on risk as outlined above.

mf

No, no way.

Normal for money to be deposited before you get the key. Unusual to get the key beforehand

We were allowed to have a loan of the keys so the builders could come in and measure up...but I wouldn't allow them to touch anything, as you may not only have the cost of the work you've had done, but the seller could insist that you return everything to original condition.
Added danger of someone getting injuried....who has the insurance (can't be you as you don't have any interest in the property yet).

I was able to get a good deal of quotation work done before signing and getting keys in my hand. If you are like me you need to get the ball rolling on the quotes before you move in. Note - quotes only is the way at this time as other posters have stated don't even think about paying for a thing until you have the keys in your hand.

There are a couple of ways to do this and all involve tiny white lies to some degree.

(1) Request appointments with the estate agent to get into the property to do something simple like measure for curtains etc but have you builder, plumber or whoever with you when you get to the property.
(2) Depending on the contractor(s) don't let them know you do not yet own the place as they wont show up. Just tell them the time they must be there at so that you can work that out with the estate agent.

Its not nice to tell lies but keep in mind you are only telling lies to an estate agent and a bunch of contractors who are going to fill you with lies anyway (if they have not already at this point).

Good look with the quotes.

Negotiate to stay where you are for another two weeks or more if necessary. Why is that not an option, it'd be worth it even if it costs more. Can you postpone the closing on your own house? Sometimes it's possible to rent your (own) old house from the new purchasers if you are stuck like this.

Thanks for all the replies on this, definitely food for thought there.

I have been given free access to the house (it's unoccupied currently) in order to get builders etc. in to provide quotes for work needed and have been upfront with vendor's EA about this.

A survey has also been carried out and all checked out fine so I guess the only situation where my plan could come unstuck is if the vendor had a total change of heart and decided to pull out of the deal after building work had started.
I'm not saying that this couldn't happen but in this particular situation I think it's unlikely.

A couple of posters have said that they have taken this course of action before on previous purchases and all worked out fine, is this something that would be extremely rare or do people do it all the time?

Only one poster did this before (everyone else talked about getting quotes etc). That poster said their situation was different (new build).

I wouldn;t risk doing any construction work

sam h said:

Only one poster did this before (everyone else talked about getting quotes etc). That poster said their situation was different (new build).

Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification, a new build is a different situation alright...

After learning an expensive lesson very recently I would advise you to go ahead with any quotes you want but dont pay any deposits and dont hand over any money or get any work done until the deal is closed and the house is yours.
Dont make and hasty assumptions and even from the most trustworthy person in the world, their word of mouth would mean nothing if the situation ever got legal.