Seller gone AWOL

SerialRenter

LateStarter wrote: »

I'm on a 6 month AST which ends next week. I've not given notice (I assumed I could just vacate at the end of term). I understand that if I stay beyond that I'm potentially liable for 2 months rent (as the notice period will drop me into a second month).

You can leave at the end of the AST without notice, though some letting agents/landlords can are unaware this is possible, so informing them of your intentions is at the very least, the polite thing to do.

LateStarter

SerialRenter wrote: »

You can leave at the end of the AST without notice, though some letting agents/landlords can are unaware this is possible, so informing them of your intentions is at the very least, the polite thing to do.

I wasn't quite sure what to tell LA, as I didn't want to give official notification that I was leaving without knowing exactly when completion was (I still don't know). I did tell them over the phone that I was hoping to leave...

Hoploz

I can't believe he still hasn't gone ahead. Feel sorry for you. Has your solicitor definitely said your side is totally ready and they are just awaiting the call from the seller?

As has been said, there MUST be a reason for this, something's not right. Your solicitor must be able to get something out of his solicitor as to why.

LateStarter

Had a call from EA this evening, and we think we now know what's happened. Seller called them and said something to the effect "the certificate should be issued in a few days". Cue lots of questions...and

The house has an extension, which had planning permission but no Completion certificate. Everyone, including the seller's solicitors, believed we were dealing with it via an indemnity policy, But it seems the seller approached the council about it, which means he couldn't get insurance after that. So, without telling anyone, he's been trying to get the completion certificate issued.

Still don't have a date, but at least I have some idea what's happening. But why couldn't he just say what he was doing? Very odd attitude as he doesn't see anything wrong with the way he's been behaving.

Jhoney_2

Doesn't sound plausible, but at least you have an idea of what's going on - even if suspect.

If everyone thought (?) you were dealing with it via indemnity, Why would he approach the council? Vendors solicitor would have advised against council contact if asked, so not buying that for a second.

He could also have said so before now as he doesn't owe anyone more than an explanation/communication at this point. Rubbish - Smoke and mirrors....

Hoploz

..... So YOUR solicitor would have known about this. Presumably they would not have exchanged contracts until this paperwork was sorted (one way or another) so actually your solicitor should have told you what they delay was! And that delay is of course perfectly reasonable.

LateStarter

Hoploz wrote: »

..... So YOUR solicitor would have known about this.

That's an interesting point - my solicitor said we couldn't complete because the seller wasn't in touch with his own solicitors. He never mentioned whether the indemnity policy had been put in place.

questionss

Vendor may have agreed to an indemnity policy after he had contacted council and only realised late that indemnity wouldn't be valid. Better to have sign off than indemnity anyway.

LateStarter

Update:

Still no sign of exchange happening. Seller is now supposedly chasing council for certificate, which he's promised he'd get today. 3pm and no word from him.

Hark! Is that a pig I see, flying away in the distance.?

Jhoney_2

IF, this is a real situation - which I doubt, please ensure you visit the property again before you exchange as they would need to investigate quite thoroughly before issuing and you will be buying something possibly quite different to what you have seen...