Can we as buyers set a completion date?

[BabyMogwai]

I'm a first time buyer so very new to all this house buying malarkey! After a few hiccups along the way things seem to be going well (touch wood!). Our vendor is desperate to be out, I think she has already moved out so wants rid of the house and we are very eager to be moved in. We're currently renting and really don't want to run into another month.
The vendors estate agent keep asking us for a date to which we have said as soon as possible buts thats as far as it gets (they seem to be the least sales orientated EA!).

We are just waiting on the money laundering checks (there shouldn't be an issue) and then to pay the deposit so everything is in order.

Can we or is there any point in us telling our solicitors and the vendors EA a date that we want to be in by?

You need to talk to your solicitors and get an idea of when all the paperwork will be completed, and therefore when exchange is likely to happen. Once you have an idea of when exchange is likely to be you can suggest when you'd like completion. The norm is 28 days after exchange but it can be much less than that if it suits both vendor and purchaser - even the same day!

Couple of days and same day for my exchange and completion. We set date in discussion with the sellers. Get on to your solicitor and ask them what's realistic and what you'd like. I'm surprised they've not asked you tbh as it was one if our solicitor's first questions

Thanks!
Our solicitor was on holiday all last week which they didn't mention to us until Friday when we asked for an update on the money laundering checks!
Would it be too much to contact them today to ask if they've done the checks and tell them the date we're looking at? (I haven't got a clue how long it takes for them to do them!)

My experience with solicitors is you need to nag nag nag. So contact away! Congrats on your first house :)

I agree with M9. You MUST be proactive with solicitors so that they keep your file on their desks at all times! (Metaphorically!!)

Thanks so much! I'll get on to them again now

keep nagging - but do leave a bit of a gap between exchange and completion, to give you time to confirm everything. You cannot book removals, mail forwarding etc etc until you have exchange and KNOW you are moving.

don't be afraid to keep phoning the solicitor if nothing is happening. You are paying them.