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Original poster

Barclays stress, CHAPs nightmare on completion

28 replies

OddBoots · 02/08/2022 06:36

Has anyone got any advice?

We are completing TODAY - we are mid chain but need to add savings to meet the cost of the new house, I sent CHAPs payment to my solicitor through Barclays on Friday lunch time as soon as we had the right bank details to send it to and thought we had done so in plenty of time as CHAPs is meant to be same day but they still haven't sent the money.

I spent hours in phone queues yesterday while trying to pack, the first time after an hour the human I spoke to spoke to delayed payments who said it was marked as genuine but it wouldn't be paid until 6pm yesterday. It wasn't, I called again at 6pm and was still in the queue when the lines closed at 8pm. I have done the online chat but all they do is ask more questions and things I had already told them. I have Tweeted to them and had an apologetic reply but no answers.

What can I do other than close my Barclays account when all this is over?

What o earth happens if the money doesn't go across?

OP posts:
SaltandPepper22 · 02/08/2022 07:09

In theory, you’ll be in breach of contract and liable for the costs involved.

In practice, that side of things comes down to how reasonable and understanding your sellers are. It’s quite hard to say how it’s going to play out but you need to speak to your solicitor first thing tomorrow morning as if there is no money than it would be a “failed completion”.

I would prepare yourself for dealing with the need to kind overnight accommodation (as your house will be sold) and storage for your things. You won’t be able to stay in “your” house as it won’t be yours anymore. Depending on where you are in the chain you may need to pay costs for the onward people also as they will also be unable to complete if they are relying on your money.

Really hope you log into your banking this morning and it’s all gone through 🙏🏻

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 07:57

I don't usually swear but the past couple of days Barclays have made more expletives come out of my mouth than I have in total the rest of my life - including giving birth 5 times.

OP posts:
upupstuck · 02/08/2022 08:06

I really feel for you oddboots, what an absolute nightmare. I hope you get this resolved today and if not that Barclays are liable for consequential losses. What an absolute shower. Good luck and please update us.

KarrotKake · 02/08/2022 08:08

How did you arrange the payment? DH went into branch, showed ID, answered some anti-scam and laundering questions, and the money was with the solicitor in a couple of hours.
I'd be playing merry hell - if you sorted in branch, I'd go back in.

That said, have you exchanged?

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 08:11

It was done online through the banking website at 12:14pm Friday. I have 2 saving accounts and sent the other half through Nationwide at the same time and that was done within an hour.

Yes, we exchanged Thursday. I am on the phone to someone who is trying to sort it now. He said if he sorts it it'll be in by the end of today but that is just not good enough! I am on hold while he talks to the 'CHAPS and international payments team' to see what he can do.

OP posts:
Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 08:14

KarrotKake · 02/08/2022 08:08

How did you arrange the payment? DH went into branch, showed ID, answered some anti-scam and laundering questions, and the money was with the solicitor in a couple of hours.
I'd be playing merry hell - if you sorted in branch, I'd go back in.

That said, have you exchanged?

Was that Barclays for your DH?

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 02/08/2022 08:20

I recently did this, I went into my bank and the cashier did it for me, I rang my solicitor as soon as I got home and she confirmed she had the received the funds. Literally within a few minutes of the transfer.

I wouldn’t have felt confident to just transfer such a large sum online. I expect the funds are hanging in cyberspace somewhere due to needing a security check etc. In the branch I had to answer questions, provide id etc.

Good luck OP, I hope you get it sorted out quickly and good luck for your move.

Meltingsocks · 02/08/2022 08:21

I'd be sitting in the branch until it was done too, whilst tweeting furiously. Good luck OP!

In the meantime get a storage unit on standby

Plantstrees · 02/08/2022 08:28

It is a large amount for an online transactions. For something this size I would always go into the branch and arrange it well in advance rather than rely on doing the transfer on the day you need it. There are a lot of checks that need to be done by the bank and they can take time.

Roselilly36 · 02/08/2022 08:31

@Plantstrees OP sent the funds on Friday lunchtime.

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 08:31

Plantstrees · 02/08/2022 08:28

It is a large amount for an online transactions. For something this size I would always go into the branch and arrange it well in advance rather than rely on doing the transfer on the day you need it. There are a lot of checks that need to be done by the bank and they can take time.

I did it midday Friday 29th and phoned and chased it yesterday, nothing was last minute.

OP posts:
Plantstrees · 02/08/2022 08:33

I would also recommend to anyone else looking for a very short exchange to completion time that you ensure your funds are with your solicitor at exchange. I had one failed completion occur because the bank closed unexpectedly (Barings Bank) between exchange and completion. The solicitor will pay you interest on any funds they are holding so why wait to the last minute.

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 08:38

I wanted to send it to the solicitor before, I am not a last minute person but the solicitor said no!

OP posts:
KarrotKake · 02/08/2022 09:00

No, not barclays for us.

Plantstrees · 02/08/2022 09:06

OddBoots · 02/08/2022 08:38

I wanted to send it to the solicitor before, I am not a last minute person but the solicitor said no!

How strange. Never had a solicitor refuse to take a deposit in good time!

WudYouSayItInRealLife · 02/08/2022 09:07

What a stressful situation. Good luck!

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 09:10

They said they would chase it and call back at 11 if it isn't through. Eeep!!

We have pooled all our savings and borrowed from family and now have in the nationwide enough to send a duplicate payment from there. DH is just on his way back from a final tidy tip run then we will call our solicitor and check there is no reason not to try to send a payment from Nationwide too and if they can refund us the money of both payments go through.

I can't think what else to do. Hopefully this thread will give info to anyone exchanging soon.

OP posts:
wobytide · 02/08/2022 09:20

If it's held in AML checks then I wouldn't be sending a second payment through as that will raise even more red flags potentially that you've sourced another sum of money that has triggered the original block as being unusual.

As others said I'd be visiting a branch with the relevant identification and documentation detailing the source of the original funds and evidence of where it came from

Roselilly36 · 02/08/2022 10:31

Sounds very stressful, OP, go into the branch to transfer would be my advice. Do not rely on your online banking, especially as you have just made a large transfer from the Nationwide Account.

Where are you in the chain?

I know my solicitor needed the funds the day before completion, she had it 3 days before.

You will incur costs if you fail to complete, sadly. I hope you get it done in time.

SpidersAreShitheads · 02/08/2022 11:11

All I am going to say is that our recent experience of trying to get a mortgage finalised and money released from Barclays was shockingly bad. Both solicitors and a financial advisor all later told me what a terrible reputation Barclays has for being competent and easy to deal with.

Whst we went through wasn’t just little whines. They fucked up so badly we ended up withdrawing from the mortgage at the last minute while waiting for release of funds, and buying without a mortgage. Loads of stress now trying to sort a post-sale mortgage but still glad we didn’t go with them. Absolute fucking nightmare of a bank.

sounds like you have a solution now - fingers crossed for you and I hope completion goes smoothly!

OReillyTheOneEyedTelescope · 02/08/2022 12:24

Poor you - is it sorted now? Did they give you a reason why it was stuck?

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 12:53

Sorted but not by Barclays, the payment from Nationwide landed about half an hour ago. Not completed our buyers funds haven't landed yet but at least ours are all there. In the car on our way to the new house which is a 90 min drive away. I am starting to stop shaking now.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and helpful.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 02/08/2022 12:55

Aww good luck with your move OP, and so sorry you had all this unnecessary stress, enjoy your new home.

Original poster
OddBoots · 02/08/2022 13:27

We have completed, selling and buying. Phew!

OP posts:
SavingsThreads · 02/08/2022 13:28

So how did it get sorted?