Buyer's solicitor delayed exchange but pushing for same completion date

movingon2020

Hi all, our conveyancer is very responsive but buyer's solicitor is delaying matters. We have been relaxed about our sale and never chased our buyer. We hadn't found anywhere ourselves and said we would move to rented if we didn't find anywhere. We were asked for a completion date at the beginning of October and we gave 30th. We were told everyone was ready and because we are breaking the chain and moving into rental, we were encouraged to move quickly and agreed. I was even chased for a signed contract on 5th October and left work early to sign and deliver it. We've still not exchanged because of delays both with our buyer and also their buyer. Despite having delayed exchange, they expect us to keep to the completion date. Is it reasonable for us to say that we want 2 weeks between exchange and completion? I feel for the buyers, I know they are keen but their solicitor is terrible and has twice found an issue after saying she was ready to exchange! I haven't booked the removal company because they kept delaying matters and I didn't want to pay to change the date. They first needed to change lender and second was something to do with their buyer. So frustrating. Also agent keeps telling us to get our solicitor to chase but I feel that's unfair. He is ready and also we are paying him a fraction of what the EA is getting! 

Tiglet2

No problem at all asking for two weeks between exchange and completion if that's what you prefer, particularly as you need to book removals.  Perhaps book a provisional date with the removers and then put this date forward as your preferred completion date.

I imagine that the buyer's solicitor has been doing a final review of the file and a few bits of information were missing, hence the suggestion that they were ready and then finding out that something else needed to be done.  Certainly changing lender would add some time as a new mortgage offer would have to be issued.

FTB_1991

As a buyer I would not agree to a 2 week gap given the current climate. I think the advice is to minimise time between exchange and completion... may be a factor 

hazyjo

Agree with above, I'd not want 2 weeks. 

Some solicitors are more short staffed than others at present, or have more wfh. Perhaps you got luckier than your buyer. Don't see why, presuming everything gets answered, you can't still complete then. These suggested dates should be taken with a pinch of salt anyway. They often change several times.

ss2020jd

Oh no that does sound so frustrating. I think it is reasonable in the current climate too. I read that in fact solicitors are being advised to have a COVID clause to cope with any unexpected delays that could be caused by things like difficulty and notice for booking removals, surveyors, searches etc. If the buyer has had to delay things it’s not unreasonable to expect the same amount of time that you originally needed before exchange and completion. I hope you get it sorted. 

Thrugelmir

movingon2020 said:

 I know they are keen but their solicitor is terrible and has twice found an issue after saying she was ready to exchange!

That's a smokescreen as they cannot speak on behalf of their client. 

onyx911

Thank you for the replies. I think I will put forward 2 weeks and see what they say. If they can’t agree it or are advised not to, we can look again. It’s definitely frustrating as we were in no rush at all and never once chased them for an update or to move things along. The buyer has shown commitment from the start, I really don’t blame them personally. But for us to gear up to exchange on their timetable then spend so much time chasing and it still doesn’t happen doesn’t sit right either. 

badger09

onyx911 said:

Thank you for the replies. I think I will put forward 2 weeks and see what they say. If they can’t agree it or are advised not to, we can look again. It’s definitely frustrating as we were in no rush at all and never once chased them for an update or to move things along. The buyer has shown commitment from the start, I really don’t blame them personally. But for us to gear up to exchange on their timetable then spend so much time chasing and it still doesn’t happen doesn’t sit right either. 

Are you OP?

movingon2020

badger09 said:

onyx911 said:

Thank you for the replies. I think I will put forward 2 weeks and see what they say. If they can’t agree it or are advised not to, we can look again. It’s definitely frustrating as we were in no rush at all and never once chased them for an update or to move things along. The buyer has shown commitment from the start, I really don’t blame them personally. But for us to gear up to exchange on their timetable then spend so much time chasing and it still doesn’t happen doesn’t sit right either. 

Are you OP?

Partner.

badger09

Fair enough, I was just a bit confused. Happens easily these days.
I've posted elsewhere on your threads re 2 week gap. Totally understand why you're asking and would appreciate update re your solicitor's advice on this. I'd settle for 48 hours in the current situation - but we're all different.

movingon2020

badger09 said:

Fair enough, I was just a bit confused. Happens easily these days.
I've posted elsewhere on your threads re 2 week gap. Totally understand why you're asking and would appreciate update re your solicitor's advice on this. I'd settle for 48 hours in the current situation - but we're all different.

Thank you. We've had quite a few delays since agreeing to exchange but as of this morning everyone has agreed 5th November and said they are ready to exchange so I am hopeful again. Solicitor is fine with it and our buyer plus their buyer have all agreed. I showed the estate agent the terms and conditions from the removal company (attached here I think) which says 60% fee for changing date within 5 working days and 30% fee for changing in 7 working days. They understood why I didn't want to confirm any bookings until exchange. I hope they do exchange today or tomorrow though.