How long to receive replies to enquiries?

davidmcn

Luna1719 said:

Tiglet2 said:

Luna1719 said:

Thank you all for your replies, it's really helpful. I saw the enquiries that were requested from our solicitors . Those included:
Seeing a certified copy of the seller's mariage certificate ( as she got married since buying the house and the name on the title is different that her current married name), a clean copy of the contract and TR1  , and asked if she would have the boiler serviced.

Because the seller's solicitor will need to make amendments to the contract and TR1, does that mean that the seller will have to re-sign the contract? My understanding from speaking to the seller directly a few weeks back is that she had already signed this and returned it (maybe I misunderstood).

What normally happens is that your solicitor has to "approve" the draft contract and raise enquiries. 

Your solicitor drafts the TR1 which he then sends back to the vendor's solicitor with the "amended contract" and enquiries.  As soon as the vendor's solicitor receives the approved contract and TR1, he will send them to the seller for signature (providing he is happy with the amendments), together with any enquiries for the vendor to answer and return.  The signed papers will then sit on the file until exchange. 

It is usual that the seller signs the contract and TR1 much earlier than the buyer, as your solicitor won't send you the contract to sign until he "reports" to you - generally when he's happy with the paperwork and has satisfactory responses to enquiries back.

None of the enquiries you mention are difficult, all easy for the vendor to respond to.  There is no legal requirement to have the boiler serviced though, so the vendor may not agree to do this.  Are there other enquiries sent to third parties?

The only thing I’m hoping is that she provided the certified copy of the marriage certificate with the initial ID documents as I don’t know how long it takes to get a copy certified or to have to order the original one .

Producing a certified copy just means (normally) her solicitor photocopying an original and scribbling "certified a true copy" on it. It's not likely to hold things up in the grand scheme of things.