How long from offer accepted to draft contract?

Andrew_Cottrell

I had my offer on a freehold accepted on 6 October, and the 'Memorandums of Sale' was issued on 17 October. I was expecting that the draft contract would have be sent to my solicitor by now (2 November). I have asked my solicitor about this, via email, but they simply replied that they are waiting for it.

How long does it normally take for the vendor and their solicitor to send the draft contact?

Should I ask my solicitor to ask the vendor's solicitor for an indication of when the draft contact may be sent?

There has also been no sign of the 'copy of the deeds', 'property information form', or 'fixtures & fittings form'. Is this something that I should be concerned by?

Thanks in advance for your opinions and suggestions.

Fire_Fox

Welcome! You are being far too impatient, it's only been two weeks!

G_M

Did you discuss timescales with the vendors? are they in a hurry? Or are they still looking for somewhere to buy so perhaps taking things slowly?

Ask them or the EA (who may or may not be reliable!)

Cara79

I am being impatient too. Our offer was accepted 4 weeks ago. Valuation took place this week. Our solicitor was instructed 2 weeks ago.

So far, not heard anything. No draft contract or anything. The vendor has already bought something else & has completed on that, so we are chain free effectively.

I know they did their fixtures & fittings over 2 weeks ago now.

Just wondering when we might hear anything.

Hoping for our mortgage offer imminently too.

Better_Days

My solicitor has got a draft contract out to my buyer within 2 weeks.

Andrew_Cottrell

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You are being far too impatient, it's only been two weeks!

I guess I am. It's good to know that two weeks is not unusual!

G_M wrote: »

Did you discuss timescales with the vendors? are they in a hurry? Or are they still looking for somewhere to buy so perhaps taking things slowly?

It's chain free, but the property was let out. The tenants were given two months notice on 6 October, so the property should be vacant by 7 December.

G_M wrote: »

Ask them or the EA (who may or may not be reliable!)

At the time my offer was accepted, I was told by the EA that 6-8 weeks until exchange of contracts was normal.

I'm quite keen to exchange contracts as soon as the property is vacant, and I don't think my solicitor is going to start the conveyancing process (searches, etc...) until the draft contract has been received. I understand that the searches can take up to four weeks and then there might be time required to transfer moneys from my mortgage provider.

I'm trying to keep in good spirits, and your answers have helped me with that!

Fire_Fox

What do you mean "as soon as the property is vacant", is it tenanted? If so when was notice to quit served by the vendor?

missile

Dodgy buying a property with a tenant still in situ.

You could be looking at a very long delay if tenant does not vacate asrequested, LL will have to start eviction process through the court.

Andrew_Cottrell

Fire_Fox wrote: »

What do you mean "as soon as the property is vacant", is it tenanted? If so when was notice to quit served by the vendor?

The tenants were given two months notice on 6 October, so the property should be vacant by 7 December.

missile wrote: »

Dodgy buying a property with a tenant still in situ.

You could be looking at a very long delay if tenant does not vacate as requested, LL will have to start eviction process through the court.

Yes. I'm keeping my hopes up that the tenants will vacate as requested.

I will only exchange contacts once the property is vacant, and I won't be giving notice to my own landlord until contracts have been exchanged.

Yorkie1

Make sure you inspect the property after it is vacated and before exchanging contracts. You are right not to give notice on your own rental until you've exchanged.

Andrew_Cottrell

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Make sure you inspect the property after it is vacated and before exchanging contracts.

That's a good idea, thanks.