People looking to buy a house are waiting a four month delay for a service essential to the purchase of a property.
Bolton Council’s current land searches time is an average of four months, with the council stating a backlog is causing the delay.
Land searches are completed on all houses to check what restrictions and permissions are placed on the property and must be completed before a mortgage can go through.
One man said he was falling into debt while waiting for the land searches to complete.
He said: “I have two children and me and my family are really struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
“I need my house to complete so that I can get the money from the proceeds of the sale.
“I have currently been waiting two months and can’t wait any longer as I am currently falling into debt to keep my family warm and fed.”
Currently Bolton Council’s website states there is a four month delay.
A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the delays, and we are working hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
“Additional resources have been brought in, alongside software updates, and this will help reduce waiting times.”
Another person waiting for the land searches said the risks of the mortgage not being accepted after the delay was anxiety inducing.
He said: “Not only does this affect both parties involved with the extra costs involved ie mortgage payments, council tax and utility bills.
“It affects the general economy of all the ancillary companies involve when moving home and the risk of the sale falling through causing anxiety.
“It’s a ridiculous situation that the council now finds itself in.”
Andrew Cardwell at Cardwells Estate Agents in Bolton said there was a risk that mortgage offers would not be extended, and people would lose out on lending rates.
He said: “This has become a real problem for so many people in the Bolton community.
“Our clients are suffering and losing money because of this.
“The extra time it is adding to the process can possibly mean that buyer’s mortgage offers can elapse, and there is no guarantee that mortgage offers will be extended.
“If a mortgage offer expires, perhaps the same lending rate will not be available again.”
