End of my tether with flat sale - advice please

Sedge1986

Hi all

I am currently selling my shared ownership property because of affordability problems.

The council has agreed that on the completion of the sale I will not be intentionally homeless and will provide temporary accommodation.

The buyer is purchasing 100% cash and the offer was agreed on 1st October.

We were aiming for exchange 2 weeks ago and completion on the 19th December. However, both he and his solicitor don't really seem fussed about getting things done and despite chasing my solicitor and I are getting nowhere.

Because of their promises of exchange and completion, I gave notice on my sons current nursery and arranged for him to start a new nursery in the area we will be living in January.

Now the council are saying that they want at least two weeks between exchange and completion which if exchanged today would take us to christmas day - so basically new year as his solicitor is closed until 2nd jan.

I guess what I'm asking is

1. Can the council dictate time between exchange and completion - should I just push for exchange and complete before Xmas despite them telling me they want more time - can they refuse to help? I guess not, but don't want to p them off

2. How can I get this buyer to hurry his solicitor - will threatening to pull out help?

I wanted to make the whole situation as stress free as possible for my 2 year old and now at this rate I won't be able to return to uni in jan because he doesn't have a nursery to go to - plus he will now be around whilst packing, removals etc.

So stressed with this all - any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

hazyjo

Two weeks is fairly standard, but you can try for less. Wouldn't hold my breath though, as it's quite possibly their standard policy (ie set in stone!).

What is it you're waiting on?

No other major advice I'm afraid as it would all be a bit 'after the horse has bolted' (eg never give notice on anything until exchange).

Are there friends/grandparents/family who could look after your son on move day?

Jx

Sedge1986

They are not waiting on anything - everything was provided two weeks ago - it is now 'solicitors on the phone' solicitors with a client, 'solicitors gone home for the day'

The council asked for 28 days then when I mentioned Xmas they said they were flexible, now they are saying two weeks.

Didn't want to continue paying for nursery (which is closed from 20th December to 7th jan anyway) when it is 35 miles away and he wouldn't be able to get to.

I think the problem is that the buyer lives at home with parents ( who are buying the flat for him) with no deadlines so he is happy to move whenever. Problem is I had 3 offers for property and was advised to go with him as he was a cash buyer and could move quickly.

The longer I wait, the more debt I am getting myself into.

And no, unfortunately I don't have a very big family and the ones I do have are either away - or not prepared to help