House Completion Date

[sanityisamyth]

Selling my house through Purple Bricks. I accepted an offer on 15th March. I'm using their conveyancers (avoiding £300 get out fee) but it wasn't until the 16th April (a month later) than they finally sent out the documents to get started. I sent a couple of e-mails between the two dates asking what was going on. I also received a letter in the post at the end of April informing me I didn't have a buyer. I screenshot the Purple Bricks app with the offer date, amount and contact details for the buyer. Things started moving then.

I received text messages from my buyer saying that he wanted to complete by 21st May but 100% by 21st June. I have booked removals and cancelled bills for the 24th May, and got a flat (needed to get one before I could apply for school places for my DS) so I'm now paying rent and mortgage. He has now told his solicitors that he wants to complete between the 21st June and the 21st July.

My solicitor said that I need to tell my buyer to tell his solicitor that I want to complete by 31st May (within the original period they said they wanted to complete by) to avoid me having to pay another mortgage payment. Is this right? Does the buyer dictate the completion date? Should I be telling him directly when I want to complete? 31st May is 11 weeks after the offer being accepted and they are in rented accommodation and are ready to go, according to their texts to me. This seems reasonable to me for a straightforward, no-chain sale. Another 7/8 weeks on top of these seems ludicrous!

You all agree a completion date (which is set in stone once you have exchanged contracts)

Assume you haven't exchanged contracts yet?

Nope. No contracts exchanged yet. I've filled all the paperwork in and sent it back. Solicitors received it on Monday.

My solicitor estimated 3rd June - 17th June which the buyers solicitors said they don't want to complete until 21st June - 21st July.

The completion date is something negotiated between buyer and seller, usually via the EA, and as Schrodingers says the date becomes fixed at the point you exchange contracts.

Reason 137 not to use Purple Bricks!

sounds like they cant leave their rented accommodation by the original date- they too dont want to pay a mortgage and rent at the same time.
The date has to be agreed by both parties, so you have every right to push back.

I was impressed with Purple Bricks as they sold my house in 3 days compared to nearly 8 months with a high street agent, and I like the online aspect but I do not like their Conveyancing!!

My solicitor says I need to negotiate the date with the buyers. Should I be texting him then?

I've sent him a text asking if completion date can be 31st May. I'll see what he says. Soooooo frustrating!!!

Now he's aiming for 21st June apparently. Still sounds a very long time since 15th March when the offer was accepted for a straightforward no chain sale. More mortgage payments to pay it seems.