What are enquiries, and why do they matter?
Once your conveyancer has received the draft contract, property searches, and mortgage valuation, they will raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor. These enquiries are questions that need answering before you can safely proceed with the purchase.
Some enquiries are simple, while others might take weeks to resolve - so understanding what to expect will help you stay patient and proactive.
What kind of enquiries might be raised?
Enquiries fall into three main categories:
📌 Legal enquiries – Issues relating to the ownership and legal status of the property:
✔ Are there any restrictions or covenants affecting the property?
✔ If leasehold, what are the ground rent and service charges?
✔ Are there any disputes (e.g., boundary issues with neighbours)?
✔ Are there any rights of way that might impact the property?
📌 Property-related enquiries – Clarifications about the condition and history of the property:
✔ Has any major work been carried out? If so, are there planning permissions and building regulation approvals?
✔ Are there guarantees or warranties (e.g., new roof, damp proofing, boiler)?
✔ Have there been any insurance claims made on the property?
📌 Search-related enquiries – Questions arising from property searches:
✔ Is the property in a flood risk area?
✔ Are there any local developments planned nearby?
✔ Does the water and drainage search confirm the property is connected to mains services?
💡 Fact: If the seller has used Open Moove to prepare their property for sale, many of these enquiries may already have been pre-empted, speeding up the process.
How long do enquiries take?
There’s no set timeframe for resolving enquiries, it depends on how complex they are and how quickly the seller’s solicitor responds.
⏳ Straightforward enquiries – Basic questions can be answered in a few days.
⏳ Moderate enquiries – If documents are missing, this can take 1-3 weeks.
⏳ Complex enquiries – If legal issues or disputes arise, this can take several weeks or months to resolve.
💡 Tip: If enquiries take longer than expected, ask your conveyancer, to ask the seller’s solicitor for updates. This is so simple to do within the Open Moove chat room.
What you can do as a buyer
✔ Be patient but proactive – Delays are frustrating, but rushing this stage could lead to costly problems later.
✔ Respond quickly – If your conveyancer needs additional information from you, provide it within 24 hours.
✔ Check if the seller has prepared their property correctly – If they haven’t provided key documents, it will slow everything down.
💡 Fact: Missing documents (e.g., planning permissions, guarantees) are one of the biggest causes of enquiry delays.
What Open Moove suggests next
• Ask your conveyancer for weekly updates so you understand what’s outstanding.
• If enquiries are dragging on, ask if Open Moove can help - our platform ensures sellers provide key information upfront.
• Be patient but prepared - resolving enquiries properly prevents problems down the line.
• Download the Open Moove app to stay informed at every stage of your transaction.
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