Problem With Solicitors

darloboy_2

Hi All

Firstly I am sure this is not really very relevant to this board, but i'm hoping I can get some good advice anyway.

I purchased a leasehold maisonette in June 2005, and signed the usual paperwork etc. I was told I had to wait for a copy of the lease, as the various plans had to be submitted to the Land Registry etc (there was outbuildings involved so this didn't seem so irregular).

Its over a year later, and despite lots of calls and emails to my solicitor I cannot get a copy of the lease for my property - on several occasions they have told me they will send a copy in the mail, but yet to arrive. Because of this I do not know who the freeholder is, and a year has passed without me paying any peppercorn rent / service charges, so this will be a tidy little sum once I know who it is!!

The building has one other occupant, who is also a leaseholder. There are repairs to various parts of the exterior (some of which are affecting neighbours), but I am unwilling to fund anything on these until I can clarify what is and isn't my responsibility, however with the lack of lease to show what I am financially liable for this is starting to snowball into a big issue, and the neighbours are now not speaking to me because of this!

I just want to get a copy of my lease, and sort what is my responsibility, and at the same time making peace with my more than patient neighbours, but I have no idea how to pursue this, ie with the hierarchy of the firm, or if there is some form of ombudsman etc. Just wondered if anyone could offer any advice!

Thanks
Craig
PS - apologies for long post!!

jamie304

Not sure about solicitors but have you tried getting a copy yourself from the land registry? http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/lro/service_guide.htm

Joe_Bloggs

Have you tried the Land Registry Online ?
http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/lro/service_guide.htm
J_B.

clutton_2

If this is a firm of solicitors with several partners they have to have one partner responsible for complaints. Ask for an appointment with that person, and insist on being given a copy of the lease before you leave the building ! take someone with you for moral support !! good luck

CFC

Hi Darloboy, you have entered into a legally binding contract (a lease) without being shown a copy of the lease? Did the solicitor discuss the terms of the lease with you? Are there any that may be considered onerous? Just because a building society will lend on a leasehold property does not necessarily mean that the lease is plain sailing.

Clutton's advice is excellent. See another partner and complain, preferably in writing. I also suggest that you contact the Law Society if there is not another partner, and that you do this as soon as possible, especially as there may potentially be problems in the lease if the solicitor has not reassured you that there is nothing there that could be an expensive problem.

Bossyboots

As clutton says, they have to have a complaints partner. Until you have used their complaints system the Law Society will not get involved. The name of the complaints partner will be in the business retainer letter you received at the start of the transaction.

You need to contact that person. You will either be sent a copy of the complaints procedure first. This should set out who to write to, the time period in which they will acknowledge the letter and the time period in which they will give you a definitive answer. This should all be within a 2 - 3 week period. For your complaint, it should be swift because they only have to send you the lease, not investigate anything else unless you want to make a complaint about poor service. At this stage they do not have to make an appointment to see you. That usually only comes if your complaint is not resolved through the written channel. It would be their choice to see you now but they are not obliged to.

Get onto them straightaway and start the process.

darloboy_2

Hi All

Many thanks for your advice, I will contact them tomorrow with reference to a meeting with the partner in charge of complaints. Feel a bit more relieved now, thanks alot for all of your help

Craig