Can't get chain to agree a completion date

Memop

We're struggling to get the other parties in the chain to agree to a completion date.
We put in an offer on a house back in October, and the vendors implied they were looking for a quick sale, and definitely before the original stamp duty holiday deadline of 31st March. The chain were in is quite long with 5 properties, and us being the bottom one. Out buyer is first time buyer and had been great so far. He has to give 30 days notice to release his funds from his ISA but he's not willing to instruct the bank to release until we have a date agreed (fair enough). The problem is noone further up the chain will commit to a date yet, despite is being over 5 months since we put our offer in. Everyone above us taking their time, won't let our solicitor know where they're up to and have ignored all discussions about a date. We've let them know our buyer needs 30 days notice, and that his mortgage offer expires early May so we need a decision on whether we can agree a date in the next couple of weeks or else our buyer may have to pull out.
Still noone up the chain is talking to us and I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. Is there anything I can do to try and get things moving?
I've booked a viewing at another house that's listed with the same estate agent we're buying from so they know we're actively looking for something else because we're not getting anywhere. I love the house and location, but just not sure it's worth the stress

Tiglet2

The solicitors, who are doing the conveyancing work for all the clients involved in the chain, will not discuss or entertain conversations regarding dates until they are in a position where most of the work is complete, so trying to force a deadline or date when it is obvious they are not ready is pointless.  This is the very reason that solicitors won't talk - they're not ready and they cannot commit, without putting their client at risk.

Your buyer has probably been in the process the longest, with the person at the top of the chain the shortest.  Therefore, it makes sense to assume that the work needed for the top of the chain is at an earlier stage than your buyer's transaction.  

If you are concerned about losing your buyer, perhaps you could look at breaking the chain?

avawat20

Ask the agents to make contact, just for a status update.
It's a bit mean to just go and view a house to make a point to your agent. What if those people are struggling to sell and you're now giving them false hope? Happened to me.
Just tell the agents you really are starting to consider other properties and will be seriously viewing other houses if you hear nothing by X date.

Memop

Sorry, I probably should have been clearer. The estate agents have been chasing for updates for two months for us. Originally we were told everyone was working towards end of March as a completion date, but despite asking where everyone was up to for the last two months we still have nothing other than everyone's got a house and we know where the chain breaks.
I wouldn't mind if the solicitors won't agree to the date, but they've not even responded to say that it doesn't work for them. Fair enough if it doesn't, but surely they could let us know? It's this total lack of communication which is frustrating us more than anything. 
We told the chain last month that unless we started seeing discussions then we would start looking at other houses and we meant it. The house we've booked to see is one we may be interested in and has only just gone on the market. Its a popular area so I imagine they won't be short of viewings.
Just wondering if there was any other way to get further up the chain to communicate better and at least let us know what's going on. 

Sistergold

Breaking the chain by going into rental can be a pain but it can remove the stress, strain and anxiety of being in a long chain. If you can not break the chain then hopefully your buyer can wait and still you might find yourself in another chain.