What does a conveyancing solicitor actually do?

G_M

If you are interested in understanding the process, or even doing it yourself next time, try

House Buying, Selling and Conveyancing

"Which?" Guide to Doing Your Own Conveyancing

Do Your Own Conveyancing

G_M

redpower wrote: »

I am interested in this. I am buying a property and have raised queries with my conveyancer. They claim that it is the vendor's solicitors responsibility to answer these queries (which they are not doing) Surely my conveyancer does not just pass on queries on the other side but has a responsibility to deal with them?

Depends what the queries are! If he can answer by doing searches (ie environmental, local authority) then that's what he'll do. If the query needs the vendor to provide the answer, how can your solicitor find the answer other than by passing the query on (via the vendor's solicitor)!

FTB here! Do you not send your deposit at the same time of exchanging ?? or does the soliticor have this off you before you can exchange. If the deal is not legally binding untill you have exchanged is your deposit refunded back ?

Your solicitor needs to pass it to the vendor or their solicitor on Exchange. Clearly therefore, he needs it off you in advance so as to be ready to Exchange.
If Exchange does not take place, he'll return your deposit.

The money is kept in a separate 'client account' by your solicitor, so even if he goes bankrupt, your money is safe - it is not kept in the solicitor's own account.

redpower

G_M wrote: »

Depends what the queries are! If he can answer by doing searches (ie environmental, local authority) then that's what he'll do. If the query needs the vendor to provide the answer, how can your solicitor find the answer other than by passing the query on (via the vendor's solicitor)!

For example, I say to my solicitor, Plan A shows that X owns Y yet Plan B shows Z owns Y. Which one is correct?

I am sure I could find the answer myself by calling the land registry and doing some digging. However the solicitors get paid to do this don't they?

G_M

redpower wrote: »

For example, I say to my solicitor, Plan A shows that X owns Y yet Plan B shows Z owns Y. Which one is correct?

I am sure I could find the answer myself by calling the land registry and doing some digging. However the solicitors get paid to do this don't they?

Yes, though where there is an anomoly they are likely to seek clarification from the owner/owner's solicitor.

Indeed, raising the anomoly may be the first step towards asking the owner to provide (and pay for!) an indemnity insurance policy to cover you in the event of a future loss to you once you are the owner.

bemrose

My buyer is with Countrywide Conveyancing in Manchester, another forum describes them as the solicitors from Hell, in my experience I would avoid them like the plague. Search elsewhere to find out what they do! Only a matter of time before they appear on Watchdog.