Completion certificate - property

HappyHomeBuyer

So it looks like the purchasers’ solicitor is requesting a copy - they are not satisfied enough with the confirmation that one was issued. Now have to pay >£100 to the local authority in the hope of getting a copy.

Have we anything to go back on to our original solicitor we used when we purchased the property? Why didn’t they obtain one before we completed if it could have posed an issue (like this) when we are trying to sell? Frustrated.

AdrianC

HappyHomeBuyer said:

Have we anything to go back on to our original solicitor we used when we purchased the property? Why didn’t they obtain one before we completed if it could have posed an issue (like this) when we are trying to sell?

Did you ask them to?

Or did you take it at face value that the place had been signed-off...?

Your solicitor at purchase could not have predicted that you'd have a buyer who demanded everything in original, in triplicate, signed and stamped and wrapped in gold ribbon.

You could, equally, have said to your buyer now "No, you don't need this, so we will not pay for it. But you are more than welcome to pay for it yourself if you think you want it.". Do you think they'd have walked away?

davidmcn

HappyHomeBuyer said:

So it looks like the purchasers’ solicitor is requesting a copy - they are not satisfied enough with the confirmation that one was issued. Now have to pay >£100 to the local authority in the hope of getting a copy.

You don't have to. It's up for negotiation - if they think they need it (when they don't), they can pay for it. Why do they not believe the council's own database?

If was covered by NHBC, completion certificates aren't really necessary anyway - it's the same final inspection. And after 14 years, nobody's going to be knocking on the door from building control asking you to sort things. Which is probably why your solicitor wasn't bothered about it. They can't necessarily cater for fussier solicitors coming along in the future.

HappyHomeBuyer

Thanks for your replies.

No we didn’t ask our solicitor to obtain a copy, as we don’t know what documents are usually required as part of the missives - we aren’t versed in property law and don’t work in the sector. We have also never sold a property before, so don’t have experience to go by.

I guess we could go back and say “no, if you really want one pay for one yourself” but to be honest we’re not wanting to cause any issues or delay things further as we also want to complete on time. 

So in this case we feel we’ve no other option, really. We’re acting upon the advice from our solicitor and that advice today was “request a copy from the council”.