Management Company delaying sale?

[HoundPaws]

I am trying to sell a flat and suspect that the management company is going to delay things as they never get back for months. It could lose me the sale in theory..Is there anything I can do about this? Any experiences of this problem? Thanks

[Namehanger]

Why? How are they going to delay the sale?

They will need to produce accounts I assume. Do you need a licence to assign?

[HoundPaws]

I mean by taking months to answer the solicitor's queries. They have a track record for being extremely slow.
Not sure what you mean about a licence so assume not? Thanks

[Tangchi]

We have just completed on a flat sale (5 weeks ago) and had massive problems with the management company in the way you describe. For us the problem was a non professional management company (small development of 4 flats) and the questions that the buyers solicitors sent were difficult and complex and the guy who ran the company didn't really understand the legal language used. No advise really other than be patient because you can't do anything to speed it up. To put into context there was no chain involved, property was empty and buyer was a buy to let investor whole process from accepting offer to completion 5 months. A professional management company should be much more prompt though.

[Namehanger]

Sorry licence to assign if it is leasehold.

As a solicitor I find a very polite but relentless flow of chase up's works.

First conversation - they say 'next week', you phone next week. They haven't done anything they apologise and say in a few days, you phone in a few days. Eventually they get bored and do what they have been asked to do.!!

[HoundPaws]

Thanks for the input. 5 months would be a disaster, so I hope I have better luck Tangchi :( My solicitors seem good, so hopefully they will keep on top of things. The management company is one of the reasons I am selling, the guy running it seems to like being deliberately awkward.