House purchasing and Housing Association Issues

[Lady Penelope]

I am not sure if this is the right place to post, but would like some advice on how to progress this one.

I am buying a house (ok a share in a house), I viewed it in December and said I wished to purchase the Monday after (in december). Had survey done, have mortgage agreement in principle. However I now wish to complete fairly promptly so that I do not lose my mortgage offer. every time I ring the HA, I am told that they cant help as I am not the leaseholder.

Could you let me know if there is any way round this, apart from getting on my solicitors nerves. This is dissapointing from an organisation that I will be payuing rent to for the foreseeable future.

getting worried as I am sure they are waiting for someone to offer a larger percentage

Thanks all

[MrShed]

This is basically why you employ a solicitor to be honest. Who are you physically purchasing the property from? How come it has taken 7 months to get to this stage?

We need a lot more information to even begin to comment, and even then you are better off harrassing your solicitor. He must be able to give some kind of reason for the hold up?

[Lady Penelope]

Mr Shed, thank you for your reply

The gap was due to the share being advertised at 40% but was in fact 60% (meaning I didnt qualify), however after the vendor and solicitor sorted out a few things I was offered the property at 40% share. Which I have accepted, however I have not received any official documentation from the HA, and cant obtain any information as to why I cant complete.

I dont want to lose the mortgage etc, as I will have to start the whole cycle again.

[MrShed]

So what is your solicitor saying/doing about it???

[Lady Penelope]

My solicitor has written to the other solicitor, who are waiting a reply from the housing assoc. All queries/blockages seem to be coming from the HA who dont want to move themselves with the sale of this property.

I dont think there is anything legally I can do, as I am not (Yet) the leaseholder, however it would be useful to know how to make a complaint (Once I am in the property)

Thanks

Lady P

[MrShed]

Your solicitor needs to be putting the pressure on. There are no legal limits AFAIK on how long each house purchasing process can go on for. If you wish to complain, the Housing Corporation is the "ombudsman" for HAs(as long as this HA is an RSL - registered social landlord - most are).

[Lady Penelope]

Thank you Mr Shed, I didnt think there would be any recourse.

Another query - I still have no details of the share, rent payable and the service charge (I have them, but not on the same document). This is the document which will get me the mortgage, (and is now approaching the 6 months)

is there any comeback if I lose the mortgage due to the HA not getting work done, (I dont think so but worth asking)

2) the HA say that they cant (BY LAW) talk to me - me being the cynical wotsit I am - would someone tell me whcih law and which section prevents them from helping in this matter.

Apart from walking away (and losing the money I have already paid out) I dont know how to progress this one. All issues now lie with the HA, who seem to make banks look competent.

Thanks all

[MrShed]

Again I need to ask - what is your solicitor doing? He should be getting the answers to these questions....

[callumsgran]

If it were me i would be ringing the solicitor and asking him what exactly he is doing to earn his fees?
Unfortunately first time buyers (especially part rent/buy) are not very lucrative as far as fees go so you will be on a backburner i'm afraid

[Lady Penelope]

Thank you Mr Shed and CallumsXXX (sorry I got your name wrong)

I spoke to my solicitor today (and the housing ombudsman ). She wants a letter from the mortgage co stating exactly what they want in order to secure the mortgage so for those that dont know I WANT A DOCUMENT WIHT THE SHARE THE RENT AND THE SERVICE CHARGE ON IT. It will take ten minutes for whcih you can charge £35.00 for

I know I am a first time buyer, and they are not going to make much money out of this one, however I do expect some kind of service.

If I wasnt about to lose £1.5k and the mortgage offer (I am on 100% mortgage), I would have walked away by now.

So dont know what my solicitor is doing (on a fixed price conveyancing)

Any ideas to force some movement on this one?

Thanks again

[Lady Penelope]

Just to update,

I got fed up with everyone passing the buck, so I forced the issue by writing to the Cheif Exec of the HA. Explaining (politely) that their letter was the only reason this couldnt be moved forward, and could he explain the service level agreements which had not been adhered to. (I guessed at his email address using the same format as the "Administrator")

Two hours later the "head of property thingies" called asking what I wanted written, so I explained, and a letter has appeared (almost word for word what I said on the telephone call).

So moving towards exchange and completion, which cant come soon enough.

Thank you for all your advice those who contributed