Sale not going through within timescale agreed - anything I can do?

[Amaris]

Just that really. We agreed completion by Christmas, vendor seems to have had some delays with purchase - EA being hopeless and so I can't work out if the delays are out of vendor's control or are because she's being slow (or both!).

I can obviously threaten to walk away but I don't actually want to do that so I don't want to make threats that I wouldn't carry through. I guess I could reduce my offer for inconvenience but that might delay things even further. Are there other things that people have done in this situation?

I am sleeping in parents' living room and we have a long journey to DD's school each day as I can't move schools until we complete - so keen for it to happen as soon as possible!

[Dunrovin]

What does your solicitor say?
Hassle like mad. Find out the specific reasons for the delay and what they are planning to do about them.

[Amaris]

Waiting for the search - apparently the local authority is putting in new computer systems so there's a delay - this from my solicitor, who I do trust. Vendor's solicitors were telling my solicitor there was no linked sale until last week, though EA knew that wasn't true. I am now pushing for exchange before Xmas, but finding the "or else" difficult to get a grip of!

[Dunrovin]

Do you mean there is now a chain and they said there was not?

[Amaris]

Yes, - it emerged that they hadn't told the solicitor that there was a chain, although the EA knew - the chain is only her buying a new build though so not a long chain.

[PigletJohn]

if you thought you were buying (or indeed selling), and it's not going ahead as expected, start looking again.

If it goes through, no prob. If it falls through, you'll be ahead.

[An0therName]

In my experiece new build are often "delayed" - or the developers are "optimistic"

[taczilla]

Call the Land Charges Office about the Search as this may be bullshit ( I am an LLC Officer and it is a line spun all too often to buyers. Our turnaround is 24 hours but hear stories of us apparently taking 2 weeks.

You can call yourself and ask about their turnaround time and if sympathetic you can have it expedited (esp if you milk it).

[deardear]

Ask if the vendor is prepared to move into short term rented as you want to complete before Christmas. Local authorities are soooo slow with searches. Some can be back in days and others nearly a month.

[Amaris]

Thanks for your replies. Taczilla I will call the Land Charges Office - it says on the website they are turning them around in 2-3 days and no mention of any week long shut down. I am seeing my solicitor tomorrow to sign contract, so will get her to chase up exactly what they need. Vendor has said she has nowhere to move to, and TBH I'm more annoyed with the EAs who I think have been economical with the truth rather than hassling the vendor if there's nothing that she can do about it.

I'm saving money living with family but there's the possibility of losing my sanity. My mum and dad have been lovely, but DD is unsettled, so it's all taking it's toll. Should be better with not having to work and go to school over Christmas though even if the move doesn't happen.

[minciepie]

I would say start looking at other properties. Make lots of noise to the EA about how you are looking at other properties because of the delay. Look at things to rent too.

Do this even if you have no intention of buying/renting anywhere else...

That's all you can do really apart from chase chase chase.

[HarrietJones]

I'm buying at the moment & just noticed on the paperwork if we delay we can be charged we've been waiting since August!

[Amaris]

Update - I called the Land Charges Office and they said that they are up and running again today and so searches will be turned around by next week, so that's good. My solicitor will chase again next Tuesday and the vendor wants to move before Christmas up to the 22nd, so maybe it will be on, who knows, it will depend on being able to get my stuff out of storage now (we might see the Xmas tree this year after all!)

The annoying thing was that I was about to sign a three month tenancy when I had the offer accepted but the EA persuaded me not to (so I could pay more money for the house!) and then has done nothing to help it to go through.

It's such hard work though, I could have a job just doing this! I think I'm going to feel like I suddenly have so much spare time to fill once I've moved and settled in!

[taczilla]

I am moving too at the minute and to say it is stressful is a mahoosive understatement. So good luck and like all horrible journeys it will be behind you soon and why people drink champagne at the end of these turmoils.