What happens after signing the contract

dipesh010

Hello, 
Apologies if these are just the simple questions 
Once I get my report/contract do I move towards the exchange date (assuming I sign and return the contract/deposit)? 
Let's say today is 5th Jan and I want to exchange the contract on 20th Jan. if the seller solicitor is on holiday or taking time to review the email then do we set another exchange date? (the property is empty/no chain both side)
Once contract is signed and deposit amounts are sent how quickly can I set the exchange date? do I have to provide some notice period (there is a mortgage + HB ISA bonus to claim). And how many days prior to the exchange date I can set the complete date? 
When do I ask the EA to show me the main switch for gas/light/water? is it before I sign the contract or after?
if things don't work within the property i.e water is not working do I complain to the EA (who pays for it) or do I just simply pay to have this fixed  

youth_leader

Have you had a survey yet? 

AdrianC

dipesh010 said:

Once I get my report/contract do I move towards the exchange date (assuming I sign and return the contract/deposit)? 
Let's say today is 5th Jan and I want to exchange the contract on 20th Jan. if the seller solicitor is on holiday or taking time to review the email then do we set another exchange date? (the property is empty/no chain both side)

Exchange and completion dates are mutually agreed between buyer and seller.

Once contract is signed and deposit amounts are sent how quickly can I set the exchange date? do I have to provide some notice period (there is a mortgage + HB ISA bonus to claim).

Your solicitor will tell you how long he needs to draw funds down.

And how many days prior to the exchange date I can set the complete date?

Completion date is set within the contracts that are exchanged, and is agreed at the same time as exchange.

When do I ask the EA to show me the main switch for gas/light/water? is it before I sign the contract or after?

You can ask them whenever you like. They may not know.

if things don't work within the property i.e water is not working do I complain to the EA (who pays for it) or do I just simply pay to have this fixed  

Once you've completed, it's your house, your problem.
The survey is your opportunity to have issues pointed out to you - or you can spot them for yourself during your viewings.

dipesh010

youth_leader said:

Have you had a survey yet? 

I have, there are very minor issues. The survey report does not say where the main switches are in the house 

elsien

If the house is empty, did you not look for them when you viewed? Otherwise you could ask the vendor if they can shed any light. Depends on who is selling it and whether they have lived there or not. A fuse/RCD box is generally not hard to find though. If the property has been empty and the water/gas is not working it may simply have been turned off inside the property - check that before you pay someone to come out. 

davidmcn

dipesh010 said:

youth_leader said:

Have you had a survey yet? 

I have, there are very minor issues. The survey report does not say where the main switches are in the house 

Why are you so concerned about the switches? You'll find them soon enough.

greatcrested

You may want to Exchange Contracts on 20th Jan, but there is no guarantee this will happen. Any one of 35 things may prevent or delay this. You are not 'setting' an Exchange date.

Sign the contract and Deed but do not date them.

Your solicitor will date them at the last minute when Exchange actually takes place.

dipesh010

elsien said:

If the house is empty, did you not look for them when you viewed? Otherwise you could ask the vendor if they can shed any light. Depends on who is selling it and whether they have lived there or not. A fuse/RCD box is generally not hard to find though. If the property has been empty and the water/gas is not working it may simply have been turned off inside the property - check that before you pay someone to come out. 

No I did not check i thought EA will show me in future or I can ask during the second visit

[Deleted User]

Never just allow another person/EA/whoever to show you anything regarding something that's costing you hundreds of thousands of your, very, had earned money - always, always, look for yourself.

dipesh010

greatcrested said:

You may want to Exchange Contracts on 20th Jan, but there is no guarantee this will happen. Any one of 35 things may prevent or delay this. You are not 'setting' an Exchange date.

Sign the contract and Deed but do not date them.

Your solicitor will date them at the last minute when Exchange actually takes place.

She will send me the contract in next few days but she did not asked for any exchange date. 
Am I allow to sign the contract and deed last page and keep other docs for my future reference? or do I have to send back all the papers that she sent (i.e report is something I want to keep that shows issues and problem found)? 

greatcrested

Make a copy for yourself and send back the signed but undated original.

You will discuss the Exchange date closer to the time when your solcitor, and all others in the chain, appear to be ready or nearly ready.

If you have a preference for how long a gap you want between Exchange and Completion, tell your solcitor. Also any Completion dates he should avoid (eg your holiday, birthday whatever), or whether you have a preferred day of the week.

Many people choose a Friday, gving them the weekend to settle in, but that adds some risk as solicitors are thus very busy on Fridays, plus any issue cannot be resolved till the following Monday.

Removal firms also tend to be very busy/booked up on Fridays.