Any chance of meeting SD holiday deadline?

[Sssloou]

On a leasehold flat in London - if offer accepted this week?

No.

Conveyancers, Councils, Management Companies, Land Registry, Searches are all working flat out and everything is taking a long time, and you will not find a solicitor who will guarantee completion in time.

Freehold purchase without a mortgage, maybe. Leasehold flat, no.

Even in “ordinary” times, 12 - 16 weeks is considered average from offer to completion. You’ve no chance of completing within 6 weeks given Covid-related delays and how much pressure conveyancers are under at the moment.

Absolutely no way.

A cash buyer is purchasing a house we own that is currently empty and it's taken 2 months so far and both us and the buyers are responding pretty much instantly to any queries.

We're pretty close to the end of the process now but I still think it's going to be June before we complete.

Thought so - thanks so much for the reality check.

You might get in before the September deadline so make a small saving.

As a PP said, before September might be doable especially if there is no onward chain. That's what we are hoping for.

Our solicitor requested the searches last Friday and has been told to expect the results in early July!

Back in the day (80s) when things were also flying off the shelves you could get to exchange stage in a week. You paid for a personal search and things were just quicker (I saw a flat in Saturdsy and was ready to exchange following Friday).
I offered on a house last week and sales memorandums went out today. I expect to complete on my sale early June and will then be a cash buyer. My solicitor is doubtful, though I know with a concerted effort on both sides (seller is chain free) we could do it. Its not a deal breaker, bit it will be a shame to miss it by a week of two.
I was trying to buy another house and had offer accepted in February. But vendor has not found an ongoing purchase and I've lost patience.

@livingintheclouds how will you make June? Will you skip the searches?

Instructed solicitors last Thursday. They advised it would be very tight but we may be able to reach the June deadline and will be definately be OK for September

Is September only relevant if the property is under £250?

@Sssloou, no it saves money on all properties as the first £250,000 is free of stamps. After September it steps down to £125,000.

For most properties you would save £2,500 by completing prior to September 30.

OK that’s good to know ... as with the usual thresholds if you are over the line you pay on the whole lot