Waiting for a charge to be removed - what is my timescale?

Hello, I am a buyer, waiting for a charge to be removed from the house I am buying. The title number is SF262543 - 9 Hawthorn Terrace. Neither my solicitor or estate agent can tell me when the change request was submitted, or if my timescale for this change to happen is days, weeks or months (or years??). Can you tell me if you have received this request, if it is expedited and how long this might take? Many thanks, Alex Edmeades

Hello Alex - there's no pending application to remove the charge on the title. There was an application to update the property description and that was completed on 11th Feb. You'll need to press the conveyancers involved it seems SF262543

Oh dear - that doesn't sound promising. I knew about the name change, but have been told the hold-up is because we are waiting for charges to be removed. All of this information is coming from my conveyancer. Looks like i'm heading towards a heated phone call. Cheers, Alex

Alex - there's only one charge on the title, which would normally be discharged as part of sale/purchase, so something not adding up. Hopefully they can clarify what's happening for you

Hello Adam - my conveyancer has told me the following: "unfortunately land registry are not yet finished with this matter, it has appeared back on their website as a dealing now. I have been in touch with the seller' solicitor who have confirmed that they have been in touch with the land registry today and put an urgent expedite on the matter" Can you tell me if they are taking me for a ride? If there is anything pending on this title, it sounds like they only sent it in today. Getting frustrated as this is the second time they have dangled a completion date in front of me, drawn down the mortgage and requested the deposit - only to tell me at the final hour that it isn't going to happen.

Hello Alex - they have submitted (Noon today) and expedited an application to discharge the council's legal charge. Expedition means it will be processed in the next few days. The casework process will require the team to run a check with the actual council and they are given 15 business days to respond. If they respond sooner it can be completed sooner. If they don't respond the application can be completed and the register updated shortly after the checks have expired. I would suggest making a note to post again after the weekend and we can check for an update SF262543

Many thanks Adam - unfortunately looks like the type of behavior that gives solicitors a bad name has occurred. They told us this had been done 2 weeks ago, but didn't actually do it until confronted. I'll check in on Monday and see if there is any progress. Thanks for helping us move this along - really appreciated.

Hello Adam - any updates on SF262543? My solicitor has been very optimistic and drawn down our mortgage already. Regards, Alex Edmeades

Hello Alex - processing has started and wider checks are underway with the lender council to confirm removal of their charge. They have until 27th March to respond to our wider checks. If they don't then the application is usually completed 24/48 hrs after that date SF262543

Hello Adam, We are currently at 20 weeks of conveyancing and in a small chain. We only learned last week that the house we are purchasing has a charge on it. (From the husband when he and his wife seperated). Now both deceased, the house has gone through probate and there are four beneficiaries (sons). We have been told the charge is being removed but timescales not given. Today we also learned how the FTB at the front of the chain are becoming very impatient and rightly so, we feel there is a big risk of the chain falling through which would be terrible for all involved. We (myself, wife, three children and pets) are all but packed with 80% in storage ready to go. Is there any way of checking the time scale of the removal of this charge please? I might also need to add the solicitor acting on behalf of the house we are purchasing, being renowned for his arrogance, rudeness and defiance if ever chased for updates etc which really doesn't help. The house details are Homestead, West Tolgus, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3TN Really hope you can help. Many thanks 😊

Hello Shannon - truly sorry to read of the issues you and your chain are facing but I'm afraid we don't yet have an application to register Homestead for the first time. The property is unregistered and any application would be a first registration and I would suggest you do need to seek further clarification with regards what's happening from the conveyancer end of things.

Hello Adam, thanks so much for your reply. I contacted the estate agents who are selling Homestead, they contacted the solicitor. He has advised them that he is dealing with the removal of the charge, and that all the information is now with Land Registry. Is this correct? Thanks

Hello again Shannon - I can only assume they mean that they are dealing with the Land Charges Department re a Land Charge removal re an unregistered property. They are not part of this forum but that would make sense and dealing with such matters doesn't usually take that long if everything is in order of course. Do rely on your conveyancer here as they should have experience of similar

Hello Adam (my hero) Is there any movement on the application for SF262543? Regards, Alex Edmeades

Hello again Alex - the application was processed and wider checks started on 6th March. Those checks mean contacting the council to confirm removal of their charge and they have until 27th March to respond. If they don't then the application should be completed shortly after that date Hero is definitely over stating it but things are moving int he right direction SF262543

Hello again Adam - I just wanted to check if the date the council need to confirm the remove is inclusive or exclusive of the 27th of March? We have arranged a completion date of the following Tuesday, so I am very hopeful that this is resolved tomorrow. Many thanks, Alex Edmeades

Hello Alex - they have until the 27th to respond. Once that date has passed the support team have to check all contact channels to ensure nothing received. Only then will they be able to complete the process and update the register. That is likely to be Monday at the very earliest SF262543

Hi Adam, thanks for the reply. We are still no further in the process with the sellers solicitor not responding to enquiries. Would you know if the charge has now been removed from the property? Homestead TR15 3TN. Thank you

Hi Shannon - I would not know as the property is unregistered. Check with the conveyancer involved re their land charges application to cancel the entry