We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
What would you do?
Options

laurawilliams500
Posts: 38 Forumite
I think me and my partner know in our hearts that we're going to pull out of this purchase. The vendor cannot find the deeds and they're checking the West Riding Archives as a last resort.
We think we'll give it a few weeks in the hope something may turn up but will tell the solicitor to cease any chargable work.
In the meantime we're thinking about looking at other houses. We've seen one on the market but it's with the estate agent so we don't know what to do because I'm absolutely sure they'd feed it back to the seller of the house we're still currently in the process of buying!
What would you do?
We think we'll give it a few weeks in the hope something may turn up but will tell the solicitor to cease any chargable work.
In the meantime we're thinking about looking at other houses. We've seen one on the market but it's with the estate agent so we don't know what to do because I'm absolutely sure they'd feed it back to the seller of the house we're still currently in the process of buying!
What would you do?
0
Comments
-
I would be honest with the agent and advise that you are looking at other options due to the issue. It might make the seller focus on finding the deeds!0
-
Thanks milton1970
This is so difficult! We feel almost certain we wouldn't proceed with possessory title but what's not to say it takes us months to find somewhere else for there to be some other kind of issue what that house?
So stressful0 -
I would be up-front too. It's the vendor's fault.
The vendor isn't in a position to sell to someone else, and it's entirely reasonable to look at other options asap.
The EA won't mind either. They want their commission!0 -
I don't see any problem doing what you describe - including the EA telling the seller what's happening.
And realistically, the EA wants to get money in the bank. That will happen more quickly if you buy another property through them, rather than waiting for this one.
If/when you find another property you like, ask the solicitors for an update on the current property. If there's no news, offer on the other one.0 -
TBH .. I am probably a little ruthless ... I had a house buyer string me out for 6 months in the past
House buying / selling is one of the more stressful things in life but being the buyer you are in the driving seat and you should use that to destress the situation
Good luck0 -
Thanks everyone!
I think we know what email we'll be sending the EA and our solicitor on Tuesday! Tbh we could proceed and have the decision made for us anyway when our lender decides to retract their offer because they don't want to lend on possessory... just too many what ifs, buts and maybes!
We're really fuming and upset... we really like the house, the area... how can the professionals working for the vendor not have told him to get this sorted before even putting it on the market never mind accepting an offer! Grrr. Lessons learnt though!0 -
I'm a bit confused about "not wanting to sell on possessory"????
Does this mean there is something a bit dicey one way or other on this house and the vendor has decided to "not find the Deeds" as their way to try and hide this fact?
With any house that has been sold at some point during the last 20 (?) years or so, then the Land Registry will have the house registered with them anyway - so its no big deal and one would assume perfectly safe to proceed?
So I guess its got to be one of two things:
a. The house hasnt been sold recently enough to have a modern day Register entry/Title Plan and its necessary to have those deeds found in order for the Land Registry to do this
OR
b. There's something dicey somewhere - and I am wondering about that word "possessory"...
Which of those two scenarios is it?0 -
The leasehold isn't registered with LR and they currently can't find the deeds = very highly likely they're going to have to apply for first registration and get possessory title rather than absolute because they don't have original docs. Obviously there's numerous long-term consequences of purchasing with possessory title including saleability... if we're seriously considering pulling out, we're gonna have the same issues if we buy then come to sell (you can't upgrade possessory to absolute title for 12 years).0
-
So scenario A!0
-
I bet you enjoyed explaining all that!:rotfl:0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.8K Life & Family
- 257.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards