Solicitor communication

Katiedoula

Hello.... just a quick question about solicitors. I am a first time buyer, currently in rented purchasing an empty (ex rental) property (no probate), so there is no chain. All searches complete and mortgage offer received by solicitor. However, my solicitor is giving me no idea at all as to even a "ball park" date. I asked whether we would be looking at early Feb, mid Feb, into March or later and she said she could/would not advise any date as yet as they are not in a position to yet. Is this normal response from solicitors? I have never done this before so i have no idea.

Comms69

Yes perfectly normal


The solicitor is responsible to both yourself and your lender. They aren't going to put themselves at risk to the tune of hundreds of thousands without performing significant due diligence.


Once that is completed you can look at exchange and completion very quickly.


(make sure you serve correct notice on your rental - it's unlikely to be simply 1 month notice)

G_M

Would you prefer your solicitor to give you a date and then later change it (after you've perhaps made plans around that date)?


But given that you say your purchase is empty (no chain) and you are FTBs (no chain, plus "All searches complete and mortgage offer received" it would seem a fair question to ask the solicitor for a list of outstanding issues.

Katiedoula

I understand them not giving an exact date, and really would not expect that as yet. I just feel completely in the dark as to even when it "could" be. Obviously I need to sort out my tenancy on my current home, and I feel there should be at least an idea of when I could expect to exchange, based on their experience and the fact all searches are complete.

kingstreet

You can't exchange contracts without an agreed completion date.

A solicitor won't discuss potential completion dates until they have all the necessary documentation in place such as mortgage offer, searches and all enquiries have been satisfied.

Once that happens, they will ask you for your preferred dates which will be put to the other side and a compromise will be agreed. Then exchange can take place and the completion date then becomes legally binding.

As you should not give notice until exchange, you might wish to instruct your solicitor to exchange contracts with a one month gap to completion to avoid the payment of rent and mortgage. Take care as notice should be given on a "rent day" to be correct.