Seller doesn't have deeds

[Cally102]

Relative has had offer accepted on a flat. The seller bought the property himself about 12 weeks ago. He is from another country and 3 weeks after he completed his father died. Seller returned home and now wants to stay there. His purchase hasn't yet been acknowledged by the Land Registry. There is no chain. My relative is now
tempted by seller's suggestion to move in and rent the flat until deeds are in his name. Any thoughts appreciated.

Terrible idea all round.

I would 💯 walk away from this purchase

Is the sellers paperwork with the Land Registry from their own purchase? I seem to recall hearing the Registry were badly behind.

I would follow the advice of my solicitor as to the process etc to follow..

Terrible idea! The flat may not be legal to rent - landlords need certificates of safety for all sorts of things before a rental property can be let. If you try to skip these formalities and there's an accident there will be no insurance. Without the deeds you only have his word for it that the flat is even his, it may be a massive con!

Walk away. Don't spend another penny or another thought on this.

This sounds ridiculous, no! What is his solicitor saying? They should be explaining this is a crazy idea, walk away and find another property it potentially sounds like some kind of scam as well?

That sounds incredibly dodgy. Is there an estate agent involved? You read about Airbnb flats being rented then 'sold' in similar circumstances.

Thanks very much for all the replies. I'm forwarding to my relative.

It has scam written all over it. Tell relative to look elsewhere.

Also agree with @LittleGreenDragons
it sounds mega scammy and beyond the legal insurance issues etc this was one of my first thoughts

I think I may know the seller.

I'm still waiting to hear from him regarding the £25,000,000 he said he was going to send me that he had discovered unclaimed in a bank vault.

I know he's trustworthy because he has told me he is a Nigerian prince, and someone like that wouldn't tell a lie.

The fact he's selling it quickly and isn't yet showing on the register isn't automatically dodgy per se but needs far more info.

Is the seller saying that his application is pending at the Land Registry but hasn't been completed yet? If so, he should e able to provide a copy of the application and the Land Registry reference and should also ask for the application to be expedited.

The quick sale could be reasonable for family circs but could also raise flags. It needs to be looked into.

If they can't sort out the first pint, definitely walk away. If that's actually OK, take your solicitor's advice about the quick sale and any issues.

It's very easy for any law firm to look up the title number and the pending applications - it's free and takes seconds to do.

Thank you

The flat not being legal to let is no different to your own home not being legal to let - but with the added advantage that the "landlord" cant easily evict you.

The solicitor can check if there is an application with the Land Registry. He can also check with the potential vendor's solicitor if the property was bought with a mortgage or not and can ask for the solicitors details for the vendor at that purchase.

Obviously this needs a lot more checking to ensure he wouldnt be a trespasser in someone else's property and therefore liable to eviction at a moment's notice. Up to him whether he thinks paying for the additional checks would be worthwhile or not.

Thank you. Relative will be following all the helpful advice.

I think your relative needs to follow the advice of their solicitor!