solicitor wanting more money after completion!

Happytosave

Hi

We completed on a house about 2 weeks ago (bought at auction). Today my solicitor told me that there is now another £38 outstanding as payment for the the local authority search. He said he hadn't put it in the cash statement he sent us before completion but the vendor's solicitor who had done the search in advance, have a receipt for this. We had paid £160 and that is the amount on the bill from the vendor's solicitors. They are now wanting this extra money because they had done their searches through an agency.

I feel it is wrong and unprofessional. I know it is not a huge amount but it makes me wonder if my solicitor or the vendor's solicitor can throw any other 'mistakes' at us after we have already completed.
Is it legal for him to do this? I personally think after spending nearly £2k in legal fees (it was complicated and he wasn't cheap), my solicitor's firm should swallow the amount.

I'd appreciate your advice.
thanks

JQ.

He's recovering 3rd party costs, so yes he is able to do it, assuming you are liable for 3rd party costs under their terms of engagement. They're not trying to rip you off just recover money they have spent on your behalf.

azkaban420

Happytosave wrote: »

Hi

We completed on a house about 2 weeks ago (bought at auction). Today my solicitor told me that there is now another £38 outstanding as payment for the the local authority search. He said he hadn't put it in the cash statement he sent us before completion but the vendor's solicitor who had done the search in advance, have a receipt for this. We had paid £160 and that is the amount on the bill from the vendor's solicitors. They are now wanting this extra money because they had done their searches through an agency.

I feel it is wrong and unprofessional. I know it is not a huge amount but it makes me wonder if my solicitor or the vendor's solicitor can throw any other 'mistakes' at us after we have already completed.
Is it legal for him to do this? I personally think after spending nearly £2k in legal fees (it was complicated and he wasn't cheap), my solicitor's firm should swallow the amount.

I'd appreciate your advice.
thanks

Hi, I can understand your frustration but for the sake of £38, it really isn't worth the argument. They can provide a receipt for the charge and as JQ has advised, they are recovering costs for things they paid on your behalf. The fee they charge is a separate issue, even though you may think it was a lot of money, you agreed to this. You can, of course, ask them nicely if they wouldn't mind swallowing the cost if you had a good relationship with them, but be prepared for them to refuse.

Az

Caroline_a

I would pay it and add the phrase 'in full and final settlement'..