AIBU to ask for a

[messerish]

Hi People
First time poster here, so bear with me .
Had an offer accepted on house end of June. EA claims we weren't the highest offer, but vendors wanted a quick sale. We've done everything quickly on our side - got mortgage offer in ten days, conveyancer instructed within the week etc.
EA initially very helpful and reassuring that sale could proceed quickly, but didn't want to discuss possibility of moving into rental until vendors found onward property. Vendors found onward property a month ago, but after weeks of chasing finally admitted they won't move into rented or with friends, so we're dependent on their onward purchase dates. We accepted this but asked for a target date for exchange and completion. EA now saying that their onward EA has advised his client not to discuss target exchange and completion targets with his buyers (our vendors) until all searches and enquiries are complete. As our enquiries (trying to figure out what work our vendors have done and what has been legalised) have taken months, I'm not at all confident of getting a target date any time soon. The vendors and EA know that we're renting so need to give two months notice to quit.
I'm thinking at this rate it's going to be 6 months after the accepted offer before we can move in. AIBU to ask for target dates, never mind pushing to exchange soon (with the completion date necessary at exchange obvs)?
Thanks!

While I don't think you're being unreasonable in asking for a target date, conveyancing doesn't work like that. EAs especially are not legally trained and will not have access to the legal files and therefore are not in a position to advise when you can exchange and complete. To be honest, a target date is irrelevant until searches and enquiries are complete. If an issue is thrown up from the searches and enquiries, then they have to be investigated properly otherwise your solicitor wouldn't be doing his job. How long an issue takes to solve is anyone's guess, it really depends on what the issue is. Therefore, target dates might be useful for you but in reality it is meaningless and will be moved backwards or forwards to suit the transaction and all parties involved. Regarding your tenancy, your solicitor will advise you to serve notice once you have exchanged. Don't risk it by serving notice before exchange, you could be homeless. On exchange, a completion date suitable to all parties will be set.

Does that help?

Don't even bother with the Estate agent - they basically have no involvement now. Just speak to your solicitor.

Thanks Spickle - yes, helpful. Understand that targets have to change depending on what searches and surveys throw up, but looks like we might have to pull out of this sale due to the potentially ever increasing chain and lack of flexibility on vendors part :-(

If only so simple - Estate Agent won't keep nose out and vendors will only talk through him or lawyers.

Sorry Spickle, am I correct in understanding that you can't exchange without a completion date, so this has to be set in advance of exchange, right?

Yes you're right, completion date will be set on exchange (unless new build and a long stop date is necessary), so you will be liaising with your solicitor and they will be liaising with the other solicitors to agree a completion date just prior to exchanging.