tt lady:

This is where a good broker should earn their money. Keep ringing them for progress reports which should prompt them to keep hassling Abbey.

If you're confident of getting the loan in the end you could at least get the legal process going which should give the vendor some confidence.

Will keep hassling the broker!

We have started the legal process, could be that it just feels that everything is taking forever! My first house purchase so very impatient.

Should point out in my case application was in my name only then added wife at abbey's request (as she was paying deposit), then drip drip information requests from abbey for her statements, payslips etc..., which undoubtedly slowed things down.