Solicitor’s timeframe

luiza8

Hello all.

First time buyer here with a questions regarding timeframe. Our timeframe is quoted below. The solicitors have had the draft contract for 2 weeks (tomorrow) and haven’t read through it. They have received 3 of the 4 searches back.

I’ve emailed them and called them asking why they haven’t read the draft contract after 2 weeks and they simply said they read them in the order the coke in, which is fair enough, but does 2 weeks seem excessive? It’s in everyone’s best interest for them to read the draft contract the sooner the better.

Am I being unreasonable expecting them to have read it within 2 weeks?

Our timeline is:
29/04 - offer submitted.
30/04 - Solicitor instructed but told not to carry out work until after Homebuyers.
01/04 - Offer accepted.
2/5 - Documents sent to EA to prove funds and ID.
03/05 - Mortgage recommendation from broker and mortgage application submitted.
06/05 - Documents sent to lender.
13/05 - Mortgage offer.
14/05 - Homebuyer report carried out.
16/05 - Homebuyer report produced.
18/05 - Told solicitor to proceed.
22/05 -Searches paid for.
28/05 - Draft contract received from sellers EA.

Thanks in advance.

Tiglet2

Your solicitor has had the draft contract (and associated papers) for 9 working days, not two weeks. Very doubtful your solicitors work at the weekends, therefore there is no point counting these days since no progress is made. Some solicitors will only read through the documents when all the searches are back, some will start to raise enquiries before.

Whatever, it does take time to look at the legal documents - not only the title register and title plan, but any older Transfers, Conveyances or Deeds noted on the title. If it is a leasehold property, add the leasehold title/plan and freehold title/plan plus Lease to the contract pack. They will also be looking at the forms the vendor has completed, i.e. Property Info Form, Fixtures & Fittings, Leasehold Info Form, together with any certificates or guarantees provided/missing. They review and read all the documents and decide what enquiries to raise. Soooo, to your question, is two weeks to read the documents excessive.....No. Are you being unreasonable to expect them to have read and reviewed the pack, probably Yes, unless your solicitor only has one client, i.e. you. PS, the more you contact them, the less time they have actually doing the work.

luiza8

Excellent, thanks for your detailed reply!

Like I said, because it’s my first house purchase I’m unsure on the reality of timescales. Yes solicitors have said it will be 4-6 weeks after getting the contract but that was already 2 weeks ago.

Thanks once again!

Albala

There is an aspect of this that is 'you get what you pay for'. Our solicitors worked significantly faster than many I hear of in terms of the time from when they got docs in to the time they had read, digested, and sorted them out for us, and they did them as they came in, but on the basis of what other people say they paid, they charge anything up to twice as much. Personally, I think it's been worth every penny, but not everyone would; I suppose if the rest of the job is going slowly for other reasons, it may or may not be worth it.

Chandler85

Solicitors can be slow or fast, depending if you are using one that is basically a call centre of 20-50 staff then about 5 solicitors actually doing the work, or a smaller firm where solicitors and there clerk contact you directly.


My solicitor often contacts me directly, sometimes they ask for a prompt reply (which I take it as meaning until you do this, we are on hold), others they ask me to get back to them when I can (I take this as get it sorted as soon as you can but it isn't holding anything up yet).


They also send me a copy of all the stuff they have been sent to review as well (such as the title plans, fixtures and fittings list).


If you have a vendor who is needing/ pushing for completion for a valid reason. For example they move abroad in 6 weeks forever, then ask your solicitor if it cna be dealt with promptly and get the vendor to gets theirs to work quickly as well. They'll work faster if there is a defined and reasonable timeframe to meet witha good reason.

ethank

The solicitor generally will not start any work until you've paid the deposit for the searches.