Moving Day Delays: What Happens If Your House Keys Aren’t Ready?
The removal vehicle is loaded, your old home is empty and you’re ready to leave—but the keys to your new property haven’t been released.
Contact your removal company as soon as you know there is a delay. Explain what you’ve been told and when you expect another update. The crew needs that information to assess unloading arrangements and discuss the options with you.
At MNM Removals, we ask about key collection and access when planning your move. Your quotation and booking terms should explain any applicable waiting-time charges before moving day.
What should you tell MNM before your move?
Tell us when you need to leave your current property and when you expect access to the next one. These may be different times.
Useful details include:
– Any deadline for leaving your old home.
– Whether key collection depends on completion.
– Who will collect the keys and meet the crew.
– Travel time between the properties.
– Building restrictions, reserved lifts or permitted unloading hours.
An estimated key-release time is useful for planning, but let us know if it is still uncertain.
What happens while we’re waiting for keys?
First, establish whether anyone can give you a reliable update. Contact the person handling your completion or key release, then pass the information to MNM.
Avoid promising an unloading time until access has been confirmed. A short delay and an uncertain wait lasting several hours need different arrangements.
We’ll discuss what the delay means for your booked service. What happens next depends on the time, location, crew availability and your booking terms. Continued waiting or a later delivery cannot be assumed.
Will you have to pay waiting-time charges?
Check your written quotation and terms before booking. Ask:
– Is any waiting allowance included?
– When does chargeable waiting begin?
– How is the charge calculated?
– What happens if access is unavailable for the rest of the day?
There isn’t one waiting arrangement that applies to every removal company or booking.
For your MNM move, ask us to explain the applicable terms alongside your quotation. Understanding these beforehand helps you plan your budget and make decisions if access is delayed.
Can the crew unload before you collect the keys?
Unloading requires authorised access to the property. The crew also needs to know where belongings should go and whether the unloading route is ready.
If you want someone else to meet MNM, agree this beforehand. Provide their contact details, confirm they are authorised to act for you and share any room-placement instructions.
Don’t assume belongings can be left outside, in a communal entrance or on a driveway while you wait.
What if you cannot move into the property that day?
Tell MNM promptly so we can assess the available options.
A transfer to a suitable storage facility may be possible, followed by a separately arranged delivery. Storage space, transport and a new delivery slot are subject to availability and additional costs.
Do not assume overnight vehicle storage or next-day delivery is included. Any alternative needs to be discussed and agreed.
If you already know there will be a gap between properties, raise it when requesting your removal quote rather than waiting until collection day.
Keep these belongings with you
Pack a separate bag that stays with you throughout the move:
– Medication and personal essentials.
– Keys, identification and moving paperwork.
– Phone chargers and important contact numbers.
– Food, drinks and items needed by children or pets.
– Clothing and toiletries in case your plans change.
Keep valuables and essential documents out of the removal load. You may not be able to retrieve individual boxes while the vehicle is waiting.
How to make unloading easier once you have access
Let MNM know as soon as access is confirmed. Arrange for an authorised person to meet the crew and check that parking, entrances and shared areas are available.
Simple room labels help, particularly where there are several bedrooms. Tell us where larger furniture belongs before it is carried inside, and identify any priorities agreed in your booking.
If bed reassembly is included, make sure the crew knows which room each bed is going into.
Planning your move with MNM
A delayed key handover is easier to discuss when the collection, delivery and waiting arrangements are already clear.
Send MNM Removals your postcodes, expected moving date and an inventory, photographs or a walkthrough video. Tell us about completion, key collection and any access deadlines so we can include them in the assessment.
We arrange house removals across Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and the East Midlands, with long-distance moves throughout the UK.
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