Buyers solicitors keep putting off exchange of contracts

ynyswen

There are 5 people in our chain. The chain was closed on the 1st March. There is a first time buyer at the start of the chain and the 5th in the chain have opted to go into rental as it was thought their purchase was holding up the chain. We are number 4 in the chain. We expected to exchange at the end of May [3months) and complete a week later. As of today 21st June we have still not exchanged. Our buyers completed their paperwork by Wednesday, then we were told that their buyers solicitor required gas and electric checks on their house - surely this should have been done by now, the solicitor has had 16 weeks to sort it.
We are at our wits end, we don’t mind delaying completion a bit but to not even have exchanged by now is appalling. Is there anything we can do? Our solicitor and estate agents are brilliant, chivvying and keeping us informed.

Surrey_EA

The solicitor doesn't require a gas and electric check.

Perhaps the solicitor in question has been instructed by their clients to ask for gas & electric checks?

ynyswen

Yes that’s what I wondered, in other words it is another delaying tactic. I have to say our buyers conveyancers were really slow getting their paperwork out too, so you think it could be a delaying tactic on behalf of the buyers and not necessarily conveyancers leaving things to last minute?

diggingdude

could be anything. stay calm and keep your fingers crossed. All you can do

correll

ynyswen wrote: »

Yes that’s what I wondered, in other words it is another delaying tactic. I have to say our buyers conveyancers were really slow getting their paperwork out too, so you think it could be a delaying tactic on behalf of the buyers and not necessarily conveyancers leaving things to last minute?

Could be, our solicitors said our buyers solicitor was very good, yet it will be 12 weeks on Monday. They have regularly replied to emails with 'we are awaiting instruction' which our solicitor says means the legal work is done and he is delaying. It is frustrating

G_M

FTB got a survey back, It recommended gas/leccy checks. They hunted around for contractors. Last minute delay.


Not unusual

kinger101

You're lucky if the whole process takes three months when there's no chain. With five parties involved, you're gonna have to be patient.

MatyMoo

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago, accepted an offer in Feb, chain closed when I had an offer accepted in March with all keen to exchange an complete quickly.......eventually moved end July because three people in the chain of 5 had holidays booked in June and July!

ynyswen

Thanks everyone. Exchanged today, completion next Friday. Boy now I know why we have been in the same house for 30 years, this house buying/ selling has become a huge headache compared to the ‘olden days’ without all the modern tech!!! We will certainly NEVER be moving again- can’t take the stress!

martindow

ynyswen wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Exchanged today, completion next Friday. Boy now I know why we have been in the same house for 30 years, this house buying/ selling has become a huge headache compared to the ‘olden days’ without all the modern tech!!! We will certainly NEVER be moving again- can’t take the stress!

Well done, I'm glad it's all happened.


I don't think house buying and selling is any different to how it was years ago. I can clearly remember a stressful time buying and selling in a chain forty years ago. Sometimes you can be lucky and it is easy and fast but often not.