Power of Attorney in buying house - normal?

ncrossland

We're buying a house for the first time. The solicitors have sent us forms to grant them power of attorney for signing the contracts etc for the transaction.

Is this usual practise??

bridiej

Not sure, I'm sure whenever I've bought a property we've actually gone in and the solicitor has gone through everything with us before we signed the contracts...

SnowyOwl_2

If you don't like the idea you are perfectly entitled to say that you want to sign yourself.

A past solicitor of mine once tried this on me. He was looking for the sale of my old house to go through at an earlier date to the purchase of my new one. He didn't know where I'd live in the period between, and seemed to think I wouldn't notice this discrepancy. I am very glad I insisted on going to his office to look at all the papers myself rather than taking his word for it.

Bani_2

I have moved house six times over the last 25 years. I have NEVER been asked to sign a POA. Just as well because i wouldn't have signed.
The only valid reason I can think of for signing a POA in this circumstance is if you cannot be contacted or cannot attend the solicitor's office or he cannot post the documents to you. Even then I would prefer to give POA to a relative or close friend.
If you are forced in to signing a POA make sure that
1. It only gives power to do the specific task and is not open ended.
2. it is time limited. I.E. is not valid after the specified transaction has ended.

I would recommend to NOT go down the POA route,

HTH

Debt_Free_Chick

POA is fine if you trust your solicitor. You still give the go ahead, it just means that your solicitor actually signs the paperwork. This can speed the process up and help if you have difficulty getting to your solicitor (mine is 150 miles away!).

Discuss with your solicitor ... they will tell you exactly what they are empowered to do.

On the other hand, if you are certain you can get to your solicitor whenever needed, then perhaps there's no advantage to POA.

And if you don't trust your solicitor, find another one!