HTB (new build) Backlog?

ShadowyInvestor

Hi all,

I wonder if any FA's can help with any info or inside know-how they have. We are waiting to exchange on a new build using HTB - in fact we've been waiting for around 3 weeks now (everything is in place and waiting to go our end). Our solicitor tells us that HTB has a backlog. I think we are waiting on the Authority to Proceed. Anyone know how back logged Catalyst is at the moment, so we have an idea of how long we will have to wait?

Thanks in advance!

mkmini81

I exchanged 3 weeks ago and had to wait for the authority to exchange. this did take nearly 3 weeks to come through

kingstreet

We're having no problems getting ATEs out of Catalyst at the moment. It's a fairly straightforward process.

In my experience, if there's a delay in the issue of the ATE it's because the solicitor has sent something incorrect in the first place.

ethank

It took us 1 week to get ATE from Catalyst, but this was because our developer had the previous buyers on the system.

dgtazzman

Got a similar story from my IFA, though this being for Authority to Proceed. First one on a purchase that feel through took 2 weeks to come through, the one on our new property has taken a week. The time difference was purely down to our IFA changing how they deal with the HTB paperwork and streamlining the process to their own admittance, plus they now have at least one other person check the papers over for mistakes before actually submitting.

ShadowyInvestor

Thanks MK and Kingstreet, although the sol doing something incorrect is a bit of a scary thought...

kingstreet

You can't imagine some of the daft stuff the solicitor asks for before they will send the Form 2 to the HCA HomeBuy Agent, even though the Form 2 is required for completion, not for exchange.

For example, despite the mortgage offer having a paragraph related to the Equity Loan in favour of the Homes & Communities Agency, one solicitor actually wanted Nationwide to confirm in writing they are happy with the case being on Help To Buy.

I'm surmising this may have been that particular solicitor's first exchange on HTB - EL.

Most annoying is we are asked to chase up the lender for something everyone knows is completely daft.

ethank

kingstreet wrote: »

For example, despite the mortgage offer having a paragraph related to the Equity Loan in favour of the Homes & Communities Agency, one solicitor actually wanted Nationwide to confirm in writing they are happy with the case being on Help To Buy.

@ KingStreet - Exactly the same thing happened to me! We could not exchange until we had a letter from Nationwide stating we could proceed and that they were happy with the second charge.

kingstreet

You're not buying on a site in Milton Keynes, by any chance? :eek:

ethank

KingStreet - yes! We complete tomorrow!

Wallhart

Is this authority to proceed to exchange.

Out AIP took 2 days