To think somebody is telling lies here

[user1487755366]

We offered on a house, had it accepted and sold our house to ftb. The lady we are buying from said she is buying a retirement flat and the agents assured us that it is empty and she would like a quick move.
Now, a few months later, survey, searches all done and we chase an exchange date. Sellers solicitor ignores ours for 2 weeks and comes back to say that their client’s seller has a related purchase- an empty property. We are upset as this chain was never made clear to us. The estate agents are claiming they didn’t know and that their client hadn’t told them and was under the impression was there no chain when she offered. Aibu to think this can’t possibly be true? Any advice on how to proceed very welcome.

In my opinion, the fact that the vendor’s solicitor has been avoiding yours speaks volumes. This usually happens when someone does not want to answer a particular question, and is trying to resolve the situation before speaking to the other side (hoping they can sort out before the buyer pulls out). I think perhaps the vendor hasn’t been honest about her purchase. It is very possible that the estate agent had no idea that there was a chain. The EA’s job is usually simply to market the property and negotiate the sale… After that, it’s up to the respective solicitors. I used to work for an estate agent, and you wouldn’t believe the amount of lies we were told. If someone tells you XXX, you take it that that is correct. The vendor can tell you, yes, the roof is sound… A survey may find otherwise. The vendor may tell you, yes there is 99 years on the lease… There that may also be a lie. This is the sort of thing that solicitors research. I know your situation is slightly different, but I wouldn’t automatically think the EA is lying, just because they are thought to be sly! I don’t have any advice… I suppose it depends on how much you want the property.

I’m guessing the vendor changed her mind half way and decided she wanted to buy first, which is why her solicitor was ignoring yours as they had questions for her (or maybe were advising her to sell first). And I would bet she probably used the same estate agent to buy too.

Regardless of what happened stuff like this is usual prior to exchange and you have to just roll with it to an extent if you want the house. A pointed reminder that you are chain free and free to look elsewhere might hurry them up a bit.