Are we being scammed?

pinkteapot

Mickygg said:

Something must be amiss here. I’ve only heard on open completion dates on very few times and usually when two parties know each other such as family.

Completion on notice is perfectly normal for new-builds bought off-plan. I've never heard of it being used in a 'second hand' house contract. 

As others have said, contracts with completion on notice should always have a longstop date. I'm utterly amazed if your solicitor didn't recommend you have one, OP. You may have a case for a complaint against the solicitor. 

You haven't been scammed. Your vendor is just in no hurry to find a new place because they've got an exchanged buyer who they think can't back out! You've been let down by your solicitor, unless they advised you to have a longstop in there. 

If it were me, I'd be asking another conveyancing solicitor for their advice on whether it's possible to get out of the contract. They'll need to read your contract and see exactly what you're committed to.

Mickygg

pinkteapot said:

Mickygg said:

Something must be amiss here. I’ve only heard on open completion dates on very few times and usually when two parties know each other such as family.

Completion on notice is perfectly normal for new-builds bought off-plan. I've never heard of it being used in a 'second hand' house contract. 

As others have said, contracts with completion on notice should always have a longstop date. I'm utterly amazed if your solicitor didn't recommend you have one, OP. You may have a case for a complaint against the solicitor. 

You haven't been scammed. Your vendor is just in no hurry to find a new place because they've got an exchanged buyer who they think can't back out! You've been let down by your solicitor, unless they advised you to have a longstop in there. 

If it were me, I'd be asking another conveyancing solicitor for their advice on whether it's possible to get out of the contract. They'll need to read your contract and see exactly what you're committed to.

Yes you are right I know about the new build as that happens all the time as you don’t know when the build will be complete to hand over, it happened with me. I meant on the second hand market where over 30 years I can count on one hand how many times I have heard of no date entered on completion, and they are all where the parties at least knew each other before the process started.

OP you are in a lucky and unique position with the insurance. I would look into this more and see if without your work insurance you can get property insurance cover open ended for a house you legally own but unable to check condition or changes. That could be another angle to throw at the EA and solicitors as to why you must complete ASAP or you can no longer pay or cover the insurance....

[Deleted User]

This is absolutely outrageous !! No wonder the EA recommended the solicitor ! It sounds to me like a complete scam between all three and the fact it has happened three times previously is a huge warning sign. 

As you have insurance from work then you may well have legal family cover. Consumer complaints section will cover actions against solicitors ! 

Keep us updated. Ive never heard this ever apart from as mentioned new build houses off plan - but even then there is always a long stop date to protect the purchaser. 

macman

Time to make a formal, complaint, in writing, to the managing partner of your solicitors.

bouicca21

Are they actually solicitors? Or conveyancers?

nyermen

<quote>You haven't been scammed. Your vendor is just in no hurry to find a new place because they've got an exchanged buyer who they think can't back out!"</quote>
Something to hold in reserve - if it does come to them saying the deposit is forfeit, then a court may be more sympathetic if it turns out they haven't even looked properly (have they?).  Regretably this smells fishier than one of Baldricks apple crumbles.