Buying a property SOS

[LightsOutHere]

Hi

Please help!

I’m buying a new property. It’s an end terraced house in which the side path has been extended and then split into 2 seperate properties.

I’m buying the extended section. For example, the original house is 25 and we are 25A.

The seller/solicitor has been really dragging with the draft documents so I told the EA I’m considering to pull out on my offer. This finally got them moving and the draft contact has now been received.

However, my solicitor knows I want to move imminently and advised that the property is technically new build and so needs to be registered - which can take many many months to complete.

EA is saying that if a sale is agreed, this will be expedited so won’t be as long a wait.

I enquired with HM Land registry myself and they say there are no applications under the original house. Meaning, they can see number 25 but not 25A. And they can’t see any pending applications submitted. They also said new build registrations take 18 months which really panicked me.

This is all so new to me and I have ADHD which makes me struggle with processing lots of information and I get stressed and overwhelmed.

I want to make an informed decision to consider whether to pull out at this early stage and look for another property - in case it drags and we don’t get to complete by June/July.

Reason for my rush is due to family issues and because I am relocating to a different area and want to have sorted school places for my 3 young kids for the September 2024 at least.

I’m at my wits end. I don’t know who to ask for help and what to ask.

My solicitor was talking to me and saying review all docs especially the TP1 and OCE. I’m too embarrassed to ask why and what for.

My ADHD has made me feel stupid all my life and this life event is no different.

Please help!

Thank you

@INeedAnotherName

"Well...no. Yes your points are valid and should certainly get looked into more but my concern about cutting corners was more to do with the build. Did they use the correct ratios for the mortar, are the roof supports the correct size and strength, did they go for cheap but crap materials rather than decent ones, did they dig deep enough for the foundations, what about insulation, etc etc. If they can't be bothered to register the property before putting up for sale then what else couldn't they be bothered to do?"

Roof supports, foundation depth, insulation would all be covered by Building Regs approval though, right? So I think you are agreeing with me while thinking you disagree!

@LightsOutHere How're you feeling today? Has your solicitor been more helpful in supporting your decision? Wish you all the best of luck.

Thank you so much for your replies everyone. It’s making me to not even want the house anymore!!

I’m ok thanks @WoolyMammoth55. Actually went to a few more viewings today and pretty much decided on pulling out. Thanks again :)

@WoolyMammoth55 - you would think so, wouldn't you. But apparently not guarenteed to be any more. I stand by my post. If they are cutting admin corners what else have they cut.

Building control used to be run by local authorities but, like so many other public services, it has been progressively privatised since the 80s.

Architects talk of encountering inspectors who are happy to sign off stages of work without even visiting the site, basing their judgment on a few photos – which could be of anywhere. One said they witnessed a clearly non-compliant project being awarded a building control certificate before the correct fire seals had been fitted because the contractor “promised they would finish it”.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/oct/21/cracked-tiles-wonky-gutters-leaning-walls-why-are-britains-new-houses-so-rubbish