[ Do not rely on these pages as professional advice. CONSULT a Solicitor / /QUOTE]
then it must be right, mustn't it? Sorry, I shouldn't be sarcastic, it is the lowest form of wit. I'm just weary of people automatically thinking their solicitor is wrong instead of just asking them outright if they are worried about something.
The fact is that all purchases must be stamped, regardless of whether you actually have to PAY stamp duty or not, and that alone could take up to 10 weeks or longer if there is a delay with the Revenue. Only after the deed is stamped can it be lodged with the land registry. And the land registry, a government office, has backlogs. So the reality is that it could very well take a year or longer for you to become the registered owner, but in the meantime you are the beneficial owner, and can do whatever you like with the property, including remortgaging, selling, transferring etc.