Conveyancing - searches

gbuck

How long approx do searches on a property take?

We are buying our first property and put our accepted offer in 6 weeks ago. We are having a bit of an issue with our solicitor - i've sent 2 emails in two weeks with no response, called yesterday to be told that she is on leave but back today.
Because I am a FTB i don't want to appear too impatient so thought i'd give it another day for her to reply with an update. Basically, we have done everything we can do on our side - mortgage applied and accepted, survey done so now just waiting until we can exchange.

The sellers also have no chain so once the searches are done, we should be ready for exchange? But I am just curious as to how long searched can take?

Thanks!

Richard_Webster

Have the seller's solicitors sent any papers to your solicitor? That's first thing to check.

If they haven't then she can't really get started.

As well as doing searches she will go through all the stuff supplied to her to check for missing documents, inconsistencies and whether e,g, all necessary consents have been obtained. Generally she won't do any searches until she has seen the papers so she can make sure she searches against the right property.

Searches can take anything from a few days to six weeks depending on the Council concerned.

gbuck

She has received the "draft contract package" including the seller's property questionaire and fixtures and fittings information. She did say in her last correspondence - nearly 3 weeks ago - that she was waiting to receive the HIPs pack so maybe that is what is holding things up?

FTB2009

Hi,

I am a FTB and a few weeks into the process of buying my first home.
My offer was accepted on the 11th June and I've just had my Enviro Search come in the post today. The Local Search and Drainage Search came from the HIP.

I am still waiting for the mortgage confirmation from Halifax following my valuation today.

Good Luck. I hope you get your keys soon!