Lack of Billing Number Slowing House Purchase

scom1972

Hi All,
Wondering if you have come across this before, we are purchasing a house but it does not have it's own billing ID for the water and sewage searches. Currently all bills are covered by the owners other property which is next to it. The current owner is getting the water meter installed and this would be done before we moved in (and is in progress)

The water company has stated that searches can be made for the property we are purchasing by using the billing ID for the other property. Our solicitor has rejected (rather rudely) and is refusing to provide me information on why the search can't be progressed using the information we have, the solicitor is refusing to speak to the water company and won't progress until the water meter is done and a new billing ID is created.

I am probably being stupid but I can't understand why we are being forced into a 1 - 2 month delay due to lack of a billing ID. The water company have stated that they can provide the information if the request is made using the other billing ID, our solicitor has then threatened that it would stop us getting the mortgage (she would inform them so) and also if I keep asking questions the bill will increase.

I am confused as to why we can't progress.

marksoton

I suspect the solicitor is technically right.

Any search done before the new meter and any other further assets ( additional piping etc) would in theory be inaccurate come exchange / completion.

There may also be potential insurance issues with regards having a shared sewage pipe. Though this should be negated by recent legislation.

It does sound like your solicitor is being somewhat short with how they go about things though.

G_M

You could 'instruct' your solicitor to proceed without the search (and accept the risk yourself). He has fulfilled his professional duty by warning of the risk and then it's up to you.

However, if you are getting a mortgage, and he also acts for the mortgage lender, he may similarly warn the lender who will refuse to release the mortgage without the search.........

scom1972

Thanks, I have just had a look at the water company and it does not even request a billing ID to generate the searches.

I think the biggest frustration is that if I don't have the facts it is hard for me not to want to challenge any delays, if the solicitor had just stated the facts and reasons on why we can't progress (like marksoton did) then I would at least understand the logic behind the hold up. I think people need to remember that to them it is just a process but to us it is our life and has big impacts on us (rant over)

G_M

Pop in & have a chat with your solicitor.

Oh! you aren't using a cheap online conveyancing production line are you.....?

marksoton

scom1972 wrote: »

Thanks, I have just had a look at the water company and it does not even request a billing ID to generate the searches.

I think the biggest frustration is that if I don't have the facts it is hard for me not to want to challenge any delays, if the solicitor had just stated the facts and reasons on why we can't progress (like marksoton did) then I would at least understand the logic behind the hold up. I think people need to remember that to them it is just a process but to us it is our life and has big impacts on us (rant over)

As G_M points out you may or may not have options to circumnavigate these searches.Personally i wouldn't.

The vendor has been a bit foolish not starting this process before marketing the property. Are the other utilities already separately metered?

Is the property already registered as a separate dwelling for CT purposes? Presumably it is...

scom1972

Everything else is OK with the property, survey etc all OK. We will just have to suck it up and wait and hope the buyers of our property don't pull out. Oh the joys of moving home :-)

Thank you everyone.

scom1972

Oh and we are not not using a cheap online one, we picked a local company

marksoton

scom1972 wrote: »

Oh and we are not not using a cheap online one, we picked a local company

Well then i'd arrange an appointment and ask for more clarity. Failing that don't use them again.

As an aside it might be worth putting the vendor under a bit of pressure. Some water companies i know will,if put under pressure and given they can get through to the right people expedite meter installations etc in some circumstances. Gotta be worth a try..