Slow conveyancer,is this normal?

[notrachel]

I am getting really impatient with my conveyancer,she is struggling with a load work and often says "I have 4 completions tomorrow" ,so my sale is often put a side.
The other party was ready to exchange a over week ago.There are no more unanswered enquiries and I asked her several times to pass me paperwork to sign.I keep saying it's urgent as the purchase is depending on quick exchange.
She gave ne access to Whatsapp but ignores my questions,is it too much to ask to know which day we are exchanging?
Really fed up of it all.Shall I make a complaint?I feel she will resent me and purposely slow down.
Thanks for advice.

Well how long has the process taken so far?

They are unusually busy this year and completion has to take priority

But some are beyond a joke

They could all do themselves and us favours if they were a little more forthcoming ... like giving you a date when they will work on your stuff not a date when they won't !

Sometimes it is a case of those who shout loudest! Also get the estate agent onside they want their commission get them to nudge all the solicitors too.

Write to them asking for reasons as to why you have not exchanged and ask to get an agreement on exchange date in the chain. How long is your chain?

It is a supremely painful process

We're currently in a chain of 4 me being the last one I'm in the same situation we have signed contract for purchase but taking ages for our sale to get sorted. How long has your process taken so far?

I can't advise you whether to make a complaint or not, as you haven't really given enough information.

When did you instruct your solicitor?
When did your solicitor receive draft contract papers?
Are you selling and buying?
Is your vendor selling and buying?
Are any of the properties leasehold?
Are any of the properties shared ownership?
Are any of the properties being bought with a LISA or HTB ISA?
Are any of the properties being bought or sold with the aid of a Help to Buy Equity loan?
Have any of the properties had alterations/extensions/ conservatories?
Have any of the properties got solar panels?
Have any of the properties got cladding issues?
Do any of the properties have a managing agent?
Are any of the properties subject to probate?
Are any of the sellers acting as Power of Attorney or Executor?

The above are just a small example of issues that can delay the transaction and the answers can give an indication of timescale and whether how long you have been waiting is acceptable.

It needs all the conveyancers/solicitors to work together, and the buyers and sellers to answer all questions raised. I'm selling two properties, my house and a flat which went under offer a week later (both early Feb). The flat has already had enquires back, searches ordered and deed transfer signed, management pack ordered and paid for. The former hasn't even had a survey, even though I do know searches have been requested. I could exchange and complete on the flat by the end of the month as long as the managing pack turns up soon - the other more likely May or June. Same solicitor is acting for me, but the flat buyers solicitor must be more on the ball than the one acting for the purchase of my house. Frustrating.
I'd start getting a bit aggressive with your conveyancer. But also make sure she is the hold up, not someone else. This is where the estate agent can come in handy - have them be the pain in the ass chivvying things along!

@Spickle

I can't advise you whether to make a complaint or not, as you haven't really given enough information.

When did you instruct your solicitor?
When did your solicitor receive draft contract papers?
Are you selling and buying?
Is your vendor selling and buying?
Are any of the properties leasehold?
Are any of the properties shared ownership?
Are any of the properties being bought with a LISA or HTB ISA?
Are any of the properties being bought or sold with the aid of a Help to Buy Equity loan?
Have any of the properties had alterations/extensions/ conservatories?
Have any of the properties got solar panels?
Have any of the properties got cladding issues?
Do any of the properties have a managing agent?
Are any of the properties subject to probate?
Are any of the sellers acting as Power of Attorney or Executor?

The above are just a small example of issues that can delay the transaction and the answers can give an indication of timescale and whether how long you have been waiting is acceptable.

To give you a background,this is a sale of the flat that went over a year ago. It fell through in November but we had all the paperwork,just management pack needed updating. She hasn't requested it.I only found out myself and chased them myself for responding to enquiries the buyer sent.

There is a second charge on the deeds which is unpaid deferred major work payment.I contacted relevant council last year and got info re the figure and where to pay it off. She send email to the same person 4 weeks ago who didn't respond and I suggested a possibility that something must be wrong if no answer and best to call them!!! ?? To this day she didnt so I took it on myself and called the department and asked them if that person seen email,only to find out she has left the council.I chased them to send me an email to send again revised figure.

Only to find out today that buyer raised an enquiry and wants undertaking from council solicitors. (i believe a standard procedure)

When I contacted the council,lady who dealt with it said "why is your solicitor not chasing this? I don't feel comfortable in responding. I then email solicitor ,tell her the name of the person she needs to speak to,only to hear that she wasn't able to get through. Arghhhjh.

I am literally pulling my teeth out as she just sits there and will happily wait another week as she is in no rush,whereas I have sellers agent calling me every day stressing me whether we exchanged because the house had 12 offers on and by a miracle we were picked with the view we are exchanging.

We accepted the offer in the beginning of January,buyers are ready to exchange but she just drags things and not finish them properly.I have done half of her conveyancing job and do not trust her at this point she will do a good job.

Now to wait another weekend of stress and worries 😩😩😩😩

@Midlifephoenix

It needs all the conveyancers/solicitors to work together, and the buyers and sellers to answer all questions raised. I'm selling two properties, my house and a flat which went under offer a week later (both early Feb). The flat has already had enquires back, searches ordered and deed transfer signed, management pack ordered and paid for. The former hasn't even had a survey, even though I do know searches have been requested. I could exchange and complete on the flat by the end of the month as long as the managing pack turns up soon - the other more likely May or June. Same solicitor is acting for me, but the flat buyers solicitor must be more on the ball than the one acting for the purchase of my house. Frustrating. I'd start getting a bit aggressive with your conveyancer. But also make sure she is the hold up, not someone else. This is where the estate agent can come in handy - have them be the pain in the ass chivvying things along!

I totally agree! She never answers an agent who I actually get on really well and he at least can tell ne what other solicitors need are up to. This should have been straightforward.We had everything from previous buyers who pulled out and are now in 12 th week.Buyers have mortgage,deposit,all in place but her due diligent is absolutely terrible.She changed firms and is being monitored and clearly not doing a great job.

Can you speak to another solicitor at the practice and ask for your case to be reviewed by someone else?

@Didicat

Can you speak to another solicitor at the practice and ask for your case to be reviewed by someone else?

I might have to. If she won't chase the enquiry, I will have to speak to her superior. Thanks