processing time for solicitor to check contract

tead

I am in the process of purchasing a new build apartment, the solicitor has received the loan offer from the lender and the contract from the builder for more than a month by now, however, I just got a mail from solicitor saying he is still waiting for reply from the builder.

I am a first time buyer and would like to know what the normal length of time should take for the solicitor to process a contract after he receives all required documents, should I push the solicitor for faster process?

skydyed

Your post doesn't actually clarify if the solicitor is acting for you, the builder, or both. But, yes, it's okay to push the/either solicitor by means of a friendly phone call and impress upon him/her any urgency to complete.

My son bought a new-build apartment about 8 months ago and it was completed in six weeks as we requested earliest completion. Of course delays can easily arise with parties not supplying proper information (absence of management company accounts, BER certificate, etc) but all going well it shouldn't be much longer.

It's not a bad time to buy but just bear in mind house/apartment prices may possibly drop an average of 10 percent more. Strange the builder should be delaying as you'd think they'd be anxious to sell something.
:cool:

tead

skydyed, thanks for the reply.

Yes, the solicitor is acting for me only. Since I haven't actually read the contract, I am not able to verify if the package that builder promised was written in the contact, I should contract solicitor.

I have paid part of the deposit, the receipt stated that deposit was subject to contract, I think I may still have chance to pull out if the apartment price drops further by then, is this correct?

skydyed

My understanding (not legal advice) is that until the contract is signed either party can pull out. I recall asking my son's solicitor what guarantees the deposit gave and was surprised with the answer - pretty much nothing at all. It just shows positive interest.

Just bear in mind that (and again not legal advice) if one party signs the contract and the other hasn't yet, the person who has signed may well be legally committed. Which is why the buyer is usually the last one to sign.

dats_right

As it happens, a solicitor is prohibited by law from acting for both a developer/builder and a purchaser. As regards the usual time frame: How long is a piece of string? I think that in general 6-8 weeks would be normal from receipt of contracts to closing but it can, and often does, take a lot longer. It all depends on the particular circumstances and amongst other things the amount of pre-contract queries that your solicitor has to raise to protect your interests. I agree with skydyed , a 'friendly phonecall' to your solicitor to get an update is entirely in order.

nuac

Your solicitor probably received a set of documents from the builder's solicitor and may have sent back pre-contract enquiries. Time scale depends on how long it takes builder's solicitor to answer these to your solicitor's satisfaction.

Your solicitor may also be making some checks in planning office, PRA and Companies' office.

Your solicitor will normally copy the replies to you when received with a recommendation as to whether or not you should proceed on the documentation available.

I would not be keen on reminder phone calls - if there are a lot of transactions in the office they take up a lot of time. There are times when I would like to shoot whoever came up with the phrase " call your lawyer"