Estate Agent won't give us details on chain

Mary_Muddled

We have called, we get told that they don't have the information to hand and need to check their files or speak to someone and come back to us, but they don't, or we get told that there's no problem that they can see and we're all working towards the same completion date but nothing can be guaranteed. I understand that nothing is definite - especially not at this point - but having a bit of background information would certainly help us understand just how likely we are to achieve the completion date they've given us, or if they are telling us what they think we want to hear!

stator

Surrey_EA wrote: »

I must admit I've not come across this. The solicitors in my area tend only to speak to the solicitor immediately above them, and immediately below, with not a great deal of interest shown in the wider chain, should there be one. (There are of course exceptions to this)

Is this a formal scheme, or more of an informal arrangement operated locally?

It is a scheme but I can't remember it's name. My solicitors asked me to sign a consent form for them to share information, you can tell them what not to share or opt out completely, but it's just the basic details like whether you're buying cash/mortgage and whether you've got something to sell.

DRP

Mary_Muddled wrote: »

We have called, we get told that they don't have the information to hand and need to check their files or speak to someone and come back to us, but they don't, or we get told that there's no problem that they can see and we're all working towards the same completion date but nothing can be guaranteed. I understand that nothing is definite - especially not at this point - but having a bit of background information would certainly help us understand just how likely we are to achieve the completion date they've given us, or if they are telling us what they think we want to hear!

So if it is important to you to know what is going on, you might need a bit of a softly-softly ultimatum!

edit: it is very standard information when buying / selling, so the fact he's not being cooperative already tells you something, imo. You should tell him that, too.

eddddy

Mary_Muddled wrote: »

We have called, we get told that they don't have the information to hand and need to check their files or speak to someone and come back to us, but they don't, or we get told that there's no problem that they can see and we're all working towards the same completion date but nothing can be guaranteed. I understand that nothing is definite - especially not at this point - but having a bit of background information would certainly help us understand just how likely we are to achieve the completion date they've given us, or if they are telling us what they think we want to hear!

I think that kind of confirms that the EA doesn't actually know the answer to the question - rather than them actively hiding anything from you.

You can do your own detective work if you want. You could start by contacting your seller and ask them what they know about the chain above them.

Clutterfree

I'd insist they tell you.
My hubby was doing some work at a house yesterday.
They had 26 in their chain! No that's not a typo, 26!! :eek:
It took a year to complete...

harz99

Like I said before the vendors EA is not in a position to give you a completion date at all! They don't work for you!!


That is the province of the two sets of solicitors undertaking the conveyancing, together with you and vendor to agree on, preferably before exchange takes place.


Assuming the EA and your solicitor can't or won't provide the chain info you want, I would suggest you work out a deadline for exchange and also completion, inform the parties and stick to it.


You haven't mentioned whether you are selling as well or not, so I think responses have assumed not. I hope that is the case as the deal will be easier to walk away from if needs be.


Good luck.