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Solicitor just informed me he's acting for the other party???

jonny2510
jonny2510 Posts: 671 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
edited 6 August 2009 at 1:53PM in House buying, renting & selling
I'm selling a house, and the solicitor has just informed me he's going to act for the buyer as well, unless I object to it.

Should this be of concern?

Will this make things move quicker?

If I say no, will the buyer be suspicious?

I didn't even think they could do this!!!
«134

Comments

  • Cannon_Fodder
    Cannon_Fodder Posts: 3,980 Forumite
    Goolging threw up;

    http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090329101513AAqZzCw

    rules 3.09 and 3.10 of http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/code-of-conduct/213.article
  • Welshwoofs
    Welshwoofs Posts: 11,146 Forumite
    Erm I'd ask for a full refund and go elsewhere.
    “Don't do it! Stay away from your potential. You'll mess it up, it's potential, leave it. Anyway, it's like your bank balance - you always have a lot less than you think.”
    ―     Dylan Moran
  • jonny2510
    jonny2510 Posts: 671 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    Welshwoofs wrote: »
    Erm I'd ask for a full refund and go elsewhere.

    I haven't paid anything yet, and can object if required (I'm just worried about scaring off the buyer)
  • mchale
    mchale Posts: 1,886 Forumite
    Conflict of interest springs to mind, personally Id get a new solicitor
    ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Just object, hes given you that option exercise it.
  • Pete111
    Pete111 Posts: 5,333 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination.

    Say no or move solicitors.

    P
    Go round the green binbags. Turn right at the mouldy George Elliot, forward, forward, and turn left....at the dead badger
  • clutton_2
    clutton_2 Posts: 11,149 Forumite
    if it is a large firm and it is another solicitor handling the case then the Law Society allows this - otherwise there is definitely a conflict of interest
  • jonny2510
    jonny2510 Posts: 671 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    I notice a lot of people (everyone) are saying object.

    Can I ask what issues could arrise from using the same solicitor?

    I can see one Pro - that things may move faster, withouth the paperwork going from A to B and back etc.

    What exaclty are the cons.

    I keep seeing "conflict of interest", but in reality, how would this actually effect me?
  • mchale
    mchale Posts: 1,886 Forumite
    More likely to effect the purchaser of the property if the was a problem, but would you want all the hassle of poss legal action if the solicitor "forgot" to mention some thing to you (just to speed the completion up quickly)
    ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.
  • Pete111
    Pete111 Posts: 5,333 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    House sales/purchases often throw up bones of contention between the parties involved. A few examples being - issues with leashold liabilities, ground rent, sewerage, chancel liability etc. Often resolving these and/or redjusting a price for sale will be done via the solicitors who are well placed to advise.

    If this happened how would you be sure your solicitor (who you do not know personally I assume?) was acting in your favour and not the other party when giving advice on how to proceed /negotiate?

    P
    Go round the green binbags. Turn right at the mouldy George Elliot, forward, forward, and turn left....at the dead badger
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