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Do I need to nag my solicitor????

buttonmoon
Posts: 152 Forumite


Do I need to nag my solicitor?
And if so how often?
Basically, landlord decided to sell the house we are renting and we decided to buy it. Landlord wanted quick sale so ran round like a crazy person, finding a solicitor, seeing a mortgage advisor, getting a DiP, mortgage valuation, getting a formal mortgage offer then nothing.
I ring about once a week to try to find out what is happening, everything seems to be going so slowly. My solicitor only received the contract from the vendors solicitors at the back end of last week despite our offer being accepted over a month ago.
Surely it can't take this long? Since I am already living in the house I am buying I thought it would be quick and straightforward. Do I need to ring up every day or couple of days? It feels like nothing is happening even though we were told then vendor wanted to complete by beginning of Dec!
And if so how often?
Basically, landlord decided to sell the house we are renting and we decided to buy it. Landlord wanted quick sale so ran round like a crazy person, finding a solicitor, seeing a mortgage advisor, getting a DiP, mortgage valuation, getting a formal mortgage offer then nothing.
I ring about once a week to try to find out what is happening, everything seems to be going so slowly. My solicitor only received the contract from the vendors solicitors at the back end of last week despite our offer being accepted over a month ago.
Surely it can't take this long? Since I am already living in the house I am buying I thought it would be quick and straightforward. Do I need to ring up every day or couple of days? It feels like nothing is happening even though we were told then vendor wanted to complete by beginning of Dec!
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Comments
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Short answer: Yes.
2-5 times a week dependent where you are in the process. (closer to exchange = more often)
Keep it constructive and specific. Establishing where you are in the process and where you may be able to help to move things along.
It will help if you also confirm some time scales for completion. Advise that you want to aim for a certain date as opposed to saying you would 'like' to be in for Xmas.
Use target date such as 12th December and gain agreement from the rest of the chain (if you are in one)0 -
I will nag more as it seems nothing gets done very quickly unless you nag.
There is no chain as I am a FTB currently living in the property I am buying. Landlord has rented house out for many years.
We were originally told that the landlord wanted a quick sale and to work towards completing by early December. However, it has taken them a month to send my solicitor the contract.
I want to complete ASAP as I want to own my own house before Xmas especially since the mortgage payments will be £120 cheaper than the rent I am paying!0 -
Buying/selling always takes longer than buyers/sellers either expect, or want.
Chill a little.0 -
And your landlord won't be in any great rush either as he is getting his rent every month.Father Ted: Now concentrate this time, Dougal. These
(he points to some plastic cows on the table) are very small; those (pointing at some cows out of the window) are far away...:D:D
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Given that the delay appears to be with your LL, why do you think you should be nagging your own solicitors?0
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I think it is worth nagging everyone in the process - both EAs (if applicable), solicitor, mortgage company, surveyor.
What I learned from my purchases and sales is that despite the big fees you pay everyone involved it is essentially your own responsibility to ensure all the ducks are present and correct, and in a nice neat row all at the same time,0 -
You could start by asking if he has applied for the searches as they can take a while.
Pete0 -
I think it is worth nagging everyone in the process - both EAs (if applicable), solicitor, mortgage company, surveyor.
What I learned from my purchases and sales is that despite the big fees you pay everyone involved it is essentially your own responsibility to ensure all the ducks are present and correct, and in a nice neat row all at the same time,
I couldn't agree more, my OCD isn't coping very well with the whole process. I sold my flat in September, had an offer accepted on a empty property (with negative equity) on October 10th, and I've absolutely no idea what is happening - other than the vendor doesn't appear to be responding to phone calls / emails.
I seem to be contacting everyone but no one responds with anything other than 'I've contacted the vendor'.
I thought my solicitor was alright at first but unless he's working magic behind the scenes I've quickly formed a different opinion. Unfortunately judging from what I read on this forum this seems to be the norm. :mad:0 -
My solicitor only received the contract from the vendors solicitors at the back end of last week despite our offer being accepted over a month ago.
So why nag your solicitor? S/He hasn't caused any delay.
*ask* your solicitor to tell you what steps are needed and how long s/he would expect them to take (timings for things such as searches can vary enormously between different local authorities, for instance)
Do bear in mind that every time you 'nag' your conveyancer that uses up time that they could otherwise be spending on making progress, either on your file or someone else's. Multiply that by the 120+ people they will be acting for at any given time and it's no wonder they are slow, because they are spending so much time dealing with people who have read advice about calling every day!
Of course it's fine to follow up, and particularly if there is something you are told is likely to take a certain length of time, but give them a chance to do their job.
Also, speak to their secretary. Most of the time, the secretary is likely to know what is happening, and it is often easier to get to peak to them than to your solicitor him or herself.All posts are my personal opinion, not formal advice Always get proper, professional advice (particularly about anything legal!)0 -
Of course, once the price has been agreed, every month delayed puts another £1000 or so rent in your LL's pocket. Could this have any bearing on the matter?
Nagging your solicitor doesn't sound like a sound move, he's done nothing wrong (apart from career choice) as far as I can see.
Politely asking LL to get the £^(< on with things... that might be a move.0
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