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Original poster

First Time Buyers - Grant of Probate

18 replies

AndreeaG · 31/10/2019 07:37

We are buying a house and have been told the sellers have to obtain grant of probate. Any ideas how long this can take?

We understood from the EA that the sellers have applied for a Grant of Probate weeks ago, however we don't have a precise date.

Anyone any experience of this?

OP posts:

Finfintytint · 31/10/2019 07:45

There is a huge backlog at the probate office. Ours took 4 months recently.

Original poster

AndreeaG · 31/10/2019 19:42

Thank you for your message.

From what we understood the seller's have applied for the Grant of Probate on the 1st August 2019.

We are currently waiting for the Local searches to completed and sent to our solicitor. We are not sure what to do? We like the property but unsure on how long it can take to receive the Grant of Probate.

Any advice?

OP posts:

Malvinaa81 · 31/10/2019 21:04

If you can, better to move on and find another house to buy.

You could be waiting forever.

redastherose · 31/10/2019 22:29

If the Probate application has been in for 3 months hopefully they will have the grant issued shortly. Don't worry about it, if the house is worth it.

longearedbat · 01/11/2019 07:06

Depends how complicated the estate is. We didn't get probate until 15 months after the death of my remaining parent, during which time we had to care for and maintain the empty former family home. We had buyers waiting, but they couldn't proceed until we had probate.
If you love the house, wait for it, but you may require a bucket load of patience!

poshfrock · 01/11/2019 07:11

Just google "probate backlog" and you'll get an idea. Where I work colleagues have been waiting up to 4 months for a grant due to the ongoing issues at the registry. The backlog is clearing now. And believe me the sellers will be just as anxious to get the grant as you are.

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 01/11/2019 07:14

We viewed our house in August, had the offer accepted and they then applied for probate. It was granted and we moved in in November so fingers crossed not long?

Slightlysurviving · 01/11/2019 07:43

We bought a probate house early this year. It had been empty for a long time prior partly due to probate issues. The vendors didn't actually list until it had been granted so we didn't experience any of the pain thankfully. It takes a while but if you love the house, it's a slow market anyway. But then I love buying probate houses and generally think they can be ok value.

Talia99 · 01/11/2019 07:46

Probate is a nightmare at the moment with a massive backlog. I think it is starting to clear but if you have a set deadline, you’d probably be better off looking for another house.

Original poster

AndreeaG · 01/11/2019 18:37

Thank you all for your responses. We like the property and will wait for now.

OP posts:

CanIGetSomeFoodPlease · 02/11/2019 12:27

The probate backlog is largely cleared now. If they applied on 1 Aug it should be back by now.

Original poster

AndreeaG · 02/11/2019 15:16

Is there anything from our side that we can do to speed up the process? What are the questions that we need to ask the Seller's other than the date when they applied for the Grant of Probate?

OP posts:

Beamur · 02/11/2019 15:19

It can't be speeded up.
DH applied for probate recently (fairly straightforward estate) and was warned it might take 12 weeks, but it actually took a lot less.
The process and charging scales changed in April and it has caused a backlog.

Beamur · 02/11/2019 15:20

It might be worth asking how long the delay typically is with that court at the moment.

CanIGetSomeFoodPlease · 02/11/2019 17:58

It may take longer if the solicitor has made a mistake on the application or if HMRC are querying the IHT forms....I think it is worth a call to check what stage things are at and to make sure you are clear whether the application is straightforward or not. Solicitors are being told the backlog is cleared so there shouldn't be any long delays if everything is in order. The charging process hasn't changed, they said it would but it didn't.

Original poster

AndreeaG · 03/11/2019 18:01

Thank you all for your responses.

OP posts:

Original poster

AndreeaG · 06/11/2019 19:26

Hi all,

Today we had our local searches returned to our solicitors and the only document that we are waiting for now is the Grant of Probate.

The EA has told us the vendors have applied themselves for the probate and they will contact the Probate Office to get an update on the application as it has been around 14 weeks since they have applied.

We don't know what to do as we like the property but unsure on how long it will take?

Is there any other question that we can ask which can help to speed up the process?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

OP posts:

Cuddlysnowleopard · 06/11/2019 19:30

There is still a significant delay at the probate registry, and they are very hard to get hold of. I have been told that they are prioritising new applications, to make the backlog appear less...

Your sellers need to keep chasing the court, and with any luck they will get through. It's been a nightmare for months, I'm afraid. Long story about the printers not working on the new computer system.

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