Hello Sifu,

I'm recently just bought a double storey house which right now the process of MOT is still in progress. Since my current rent contract will end by end of this March, I had agreed with the owner that I will be renting the house that I bought starting on April.

As per told by the lawyer, renovation is not advisable before the completion process of purchase, I would only do full house paint first and move in my stuff.

I would like to know whether should I paint the house only after all the process is done (I want to do further renovation later on e.g plaster ceiling, cabinets and kitchen sliding door)?

The MOT process would took longer time probably for next 4-5 months since pending appointment from land office due to MCO and involve double transfer process.

Thanks in advance.

This post has been edited by faridiruga: Feb 7 2021, 01:50 PM

They say, it's NOT YOURS until its YOURS.

Don't be impatient. Later the deal didn't go through and you lost everything.

Best to follow lawyer advise. In case the transfer fail for any reason at least you don't total loss on the reno cost.

personally..
I won't do anything first...
there's risk involved... and also $$$...

what if deal gone... transfer failed???
until all completed.. better wait...

anything deal halt in between, your efforts are gone.. owner can sue you for that as well if he want.. i guess not to do anything until every legal process proceed and ownership transfer to you.. you could get contractor to review the site & plan about the works first.. those take time.. once you got the keys and u could kickstart the works..

only do anything after its is yours
painting should be one of the last steps anyway

I'm in the same boat with you and I can tell you so many things can still go wrong. Agree with the other posters i.e. don't do anything until the home is yours.

At least you have the advantage of access to the site, make use of the waiting time measuring the house, getting to know the quirks and planning your renovation so that you can start right away once you receive the key officially.

Renting is like living in with your gf. Owning the house is living with your wife. You will be stupid if you don't think there is any difference between the two.

However if you have big balls and willing to take big risk no one can really stop you.

Do u know the seller personally?
For example I bought my house from a closed personal friend and I knew the risk of the MOT fail is not much.
I went ahead with reno. Saved so much time than waiting idly for months end.
but to be safe follow others and don’t do it.

To be honest I can quote you many cases of close friends and family became enemies because of money involved. Never take any chance when there is money involved.