Had our offer accepted on chain-free house in early March. We're in rental so also chain-free. We emphasised wanting to get on with purchase and were all set to get thru in about 6-8 weeks taking us to late April/early May (we sold in 4 weeks last year so thought this reasonable- we've both bought houses previously and it took 6-8 weeks). It then emerged via our solicitor digging around that our seller needed to wait for probate to be granted on the property he is buying. He advised this would take an additional 4-6 weeks, taking us to end May.
Ok, so accepted working to end May date, survey, searches etc all satisfactory. Probate taking longer but seller then says he will move out into temp accommodation so we can still go ahead for end May completion.
Got exchange paperwork signed this week, exchange happening next week. Seller suddenly announces he doesn't have time to move out before end May(?!), then has a three week holiday booked(?!) so now can't complete before end June.
We're really annoyed. This was the first mention of the holiday. Also worried the goalposts keep shifting. I'm trying to get a date at end June set for completion but can he keep changing it/pushing it back? Even once exchange has taken place? He's elderly widower (don't know how elderly?) and want to be understanding as it's obviously a big move for him, but we do need to get on with it. The house is in quite a state and will need building work before we can move in. He didn't have that much stuff in the house when we viewed - minimal furniture, not much 'stuff' around.