Property information and enquiries

[sunshinyday80]

At what point during the conveyancing process should we receive information about the property from our solicitor, including answers to all their enquiries? We've been told by our solicitor that we'll be sent all of this when they send the contract for signing, which I feel is a bit late. But maybe that's standard procedure? I don't know. Just wanted to check what others have experienced. We're on a tight deadline and feel a bit nervous that if anything comes up (that wasn't part of the survey) that we feel needs further investigation, leaving it to the day we sign the contracts feels a bit late!

The searches and enquiries normally are handed over with the draft contract. The survey looks at the building/value but the enquiries tend to focus on fixtures, fittings and boundaries.

It's normal to be sent the contract, and even sign it, some time before all the queries and back and forth are done.
So long as the contract is kept by your solicitor, and not exchanged, the fact that you've signed it commits you to nothing.Your solicitor won't exchange until you give the go-ahead .

That's my understanding, but I'm not a solicitor, so double check with yours.

Thank you both, that's been really helpful. Wasn't sure if it was standard procedure or not, I feel much more reassured now.

When the solicitors have done most of their work and enquiries are mainly answered and other documentation (searches for example) are back, the solicitor will "report to you". This is a detailed letter setting out everything they have found out about the property. They will often include the contract, and/or transfer, and mortgage deed for your signature within this pack, as well as copies of any associated documents. It doesn't mean that they expect you to read through all the documents within a couple of hours and sign straight away so they can immediately exchange. Often there are still one or two enquiries outstanding, but they like you to have the paperwork for your perusal as well as the signed documents on their file in readiness. However, it still could be weeks away from exchange and they will need your confirmation to go ahead before they exchange anyway.

Thanks Spickle, that's really helpful. Not having purchased a property before, we weren't aware of the timings of each step.

I'm a property solicitor - I always send a copy of the title plan, Property Info Form and Fittings and Contents Form to clients to read through as soon as I get the draft contract pack in from the other solicitor at the start of the process, so it gives people a chance to raise anything with me early on (although I obviously check it all and raise my own enquiries with the other solicitor too in the meantime).

It's quite normal to send it out late on when they "report" to you as PPs have advised, however. If you have concerns or if you just want to see it now, your solicitor shouldn't have an issue with sending it to you earlier than they usually would.