HSBC residential mortgage - 6 month rule?

chumbawamba27

First time buyer here and so am new to everything.

I've been merrily trundling along on the house purchase path. Have had a mortgage offer from HSBC subject to a valuation which is going to take place on Thursday. Have paid for the valuation and a survey to be done, instructed solicitors. Searches have been carried out, draft sale contract prepared etc.

I've just, this evening. come across something called the '6 month rule' which says that many lenders won't lend to a buyer if the seller has owned the property for less than six months. The lady I'm purchasing it off bought in cash in April . She's a wealthy lady, in her 80s, and had bought it for a 'town pad' but then decided it was too big for her so wanted to sell it again. She never even moved into it.

HSBC have never asked me anything about the length of time the vendor has owned the house. I have emailed them this evening and am so worried. I need to be in the house by the end of september due to my children's school situation. From others' experience, are Hsbc likely to withdraw the offer?

:(:(