Solicitor won't commit to exchange date

Marsbar44

So
To keep it simple I agreed a completion date of 28/7 with a proviso that I needed 2 weeks between exchange and completion.
Didn't hear anything so contacted my solicitor to see what the hold up was to be told they were waiting on a new redemption statement from my building soc. that they (allegedly) requested a week ago.

I contacted building soc. to be told first contact from my solicitors was that day!!!! I asked for redemption statement and within the hour it was in my inbox.

Sent this to my solicitor and stressed the importance of exchanging contracts asap given the 28/7 is looming fast and I can't commit time/expense of moving our stuff until we've exchanged. I'm also self employed so taking time off when I don't need to or paying business costs if I'm not working is not good!!

Solicitor has said ' we'll exchange as soon as possible' no acknowledgement of the fact that they have messed up or that my timeframe to move post exchange is getting very small.

I need this exchange to happen tomorrow which gives me 6 days to move (not the original 14) so any suggestions as to how I force my solicitor to pull their finger out would be appreciated.

Thrugelmir

What's the position of the other party in the transaction?

aneary

Email stating the need for completion mention the redemption statement and copy in the senior partner.

davidmcn

Marsbar44 wrote: »

they were waiting on a new redemption statement from my building soc. that they (allegedly) requested a week ago.

I contacted building soc. to be told first contact from my solicitors was that day!!!!

no acknowledgement of the fact that they have messed up

I would give your solicitor the benefit of the doubt on this point - I have made countless requests for redemption figures to lenders which have gone "missing".

Thrugelmir

aneary wrote: »

Email stating the need for completion mention the redemption statement and copy in the senior partner.

Unfortunately solicitors have heard this endlessly over the years. Takes two to tango. Demanding won't get you far. Other than getting someones back up who is simply trying to do their job. Existing redemption statement will be totally redundant if exchange cannot take place.

Marsbar44

The other party is all set it is my solicitor causing the delay.

If this was an isolated incident I would give them benefit of doubt but I've been less than impressed with them to date. I think they forget to request up to date redemption until yesterday. They didn't even acknowledge that I managed to obtain it and send it to them in an hour!!

My solicitor asked me if 28/7 was good to complete knowing I wanted 2 weeks between exchange and completion. I agreed as was told everything was in hand. I don't want to change completion date but I'm getting the brush off from my solicitor for pushing exchange, even though the delay is down to them.

I don't want to get to the point of involving senior partners but if I don't get any joy tomorrow then I'll have to otherwise I may commit murder. I am of a mind to contact my buyer (we've had frequent contact over the course of the sale) and get his solicitor to give mine a nudge.

Rambosmum

What's the hold up? Have you had your conveyancing report? are you a FTB? What position are your sellers in? Is there a chain?

Marsbar44

The only hold up is my solicitor is c**p!!! There's no chain (they are first time buyers and we are going to travel/stay with in laws) all searches, surveys done etc. I went in to my solicitor on 12/7 to sign the necessary, stated I needed 2 weeks between exchange and completion and agreed 28/7 to complete. They were getting new redemption statement so I assumed exchange on 14/7 or 17/7. Heard nothing so chased up, no response so chased again yesterday to be told they were waiting on redemption statement that was supposedly ordered a week prior!!! I managed to acquire said statement in an hour and e-mailed it across with a firm, but polite request that we exchange by Friday 21/7 at latest as I don't want to have to move completion as this has gone on too long. My solicitors reply was basically 'we'll exchange when we can, you complete on 28/7' ... I've stressed that I'm wary of spending time/money/lost wages moving our stuff without exchanging but it's being ignored! There should be no reason at all as to why we can't exchange tomorrow but I just can't get a straight answer!! Help!!!!!!

Marsbar44

Another issue is I want the proceeds sent to two different bank accounts (mine/estranged wife) but they say as house was in my name only it all has to be paid to me.

walwyn1978

Marsbar44 wrote: »

Another issue is I want the proceeds sent to two different bank accounts (mine/estranged wife) but they say as house was in my name only it all has to be paid to me.

But surely as soon as the money hits your account you can move her share along to her bank account?

Appreciate you're having to do it not them but it's not a huge issue, surely?

Marsbar44

Moving the money from my account isn't an issue unless it doesn't land in her account that day as transfer will be between two different banks.
The real issue is my conveyancer not commiting to an exchange date even though we're 7 days past the date I specified. Its almost as though she is waiting for buyers solicitor to make first move or she's trying to force exchange & completion on same day which is just not happening. I'll see what, if any, response I've had in the morning and go from there.