Timescale for property purchase

[Cribco]

My wife is in the final stages of purchasing an empty flat in the midlands. The surveyors final report will be with her in a couple of days -The contracts are ready for exchange - The money is in her bank, Now she has been informed by her solicitor that the final exchange my take up to three months which seems a truly extraordinary time scale for what should be a simple procedure. Is this usual - or might this indicate a factor of which we are unaware.

This prompts another question - during this wait time does it leave us in a position where the flat could be sold over our heads.

[atticus]

Has anyone asked the solicitor why?

Is there a chain? Are there issues up the chain?


And yes, until contracts are exchanged either party can pull out.

Is this the wife you are divorcing?

[Cribco]

Thank you Atticus. I have been forbidden to contact the solicitors acting for my wife, but they appear to be well established and reputable conveyancers. My wife affirms that she has visited the flat, and that it appears unoccupied. Certainly there is no chain on this side the contract, and the estate agents state the same for the sellers side.

Yes, this is the wife I was divorcing on my previous letters to this site. After a painful and expensive three years the final decree absolute was granted in July. However she is still living in the family home at my expense and I want to assure myself that that the delay in purchasing the flat is not another excuse for not moving on.

[atticus]

I doubt that this forum can answer that question for you.

[dslippy]

An explanation is due, but as Atti says, not from us.