Still waiting for the leasehold management pack!

Rabihy

I am buying a flat; the vendor's solicitor requested and paid for the leasehold management pack from the management company about 20 days ago, and we are still waiting. We have to exchange in 8 days. Everything is ready for exchange except for management pack. The vendor's solicitor is calling regularly the management company. Is there anything we can do to oblige the management company to prepare/send the pack? Both solicitors and the vendor and the buyer want to finish the transaction asap. Is there a deadline for the management company to respond?

Also, I read on the internet that the government announced in the summer intention to regulate this process and to introduce a 15-day deadline for the management company to respond. Do you know if this regulation is now in place?

Thank you.

Slithery

Unfortunately the only thing that can be done is for the vendors to keep hassling their management company. You won't be exchanging immediately when the pack does come through either as it will still take time for your solicitor to digest the information it contains and maybe make more enquiries.

Exchange within the next 8 days is very unlikely.

Rabihy

Thanks. It is puzzling that we can do nothing about it except hassling the company! It is so unfair. What if they sit on it for a year? I am not going to start getting worried.

Thanks.

m0bov

It will take your sol more than 8 days to review the pack and raise enquires. No point aiming for deadline

eddddy

Rabihy wrote: »

The vendor's solicitor is calling regularly the management company.

Is the vendor aware of the problem? The vendor could try chasing up the management company.

The solicitor is likely to send 'bland' emails or make 'bland' phone calls to the management company. The vendor could push a bit harder to find out who is dealing with the request, and try to speak to the relevant person directly etc.

Rabihy

Thanks. We can extend the exchange date for up to 5-6 weeks at the latest due to other complications (after that we will end up in a hotel!). I am just trying to find ways to at least know that we can get the management pack sometime soon. The rest can be sorted out. Do you know if management companies can delay this process by months? This what I am worried about.

Rabihy

The solicitor is likely to send 'bland' emails or make 'bland' phone calls to the management company. The vendor could push a bit harder to find out who is dealing with the request, and try to speak to the relevant person directly etc.

The vendor is aware of the delay and the vendor’s solicitor seems to be active (apparently calling the management company daily). Not sure about the nature of the call. Is it ok if we (buyers) call the management the company and chase?

Slithery

Rabihy wrote: »

Is it ok if we (buyers) call the management the company and chase?

They will (correctly) refuse to answer any of your questions as they aren't in a contract with you to do so. Inquiries need to come directly from your vendor for them to take any notice.

Rabihy

Great. An unregulated sector that allow management agents to control the lives and money of others despite being paid their fees on time. I read on this forum that some management agents took six months to respond.

Slithery

Indeed. Which is why you don't spend any money on surveys, solicitors, mortgages etc until you have the pack.