Solictors want invoice from 9 years ago

ToriF

Hi,

Bit or a random question so I appreciate I may not get an answer, but any opinions would be appreciated

I'm selling my house and we're almost there.. just a few last enquiries which are holding things up ..

The previous owner built an extension and as part of this there was a "Build Over Agreement - Consent for development affecting a public sewer" " with the water company as the extension was over a sewer.
I've got a copy of this so that all fine.
However as part of this there was:


"AWS charges £100 for admin costs, including inspecting the plan and, at its discretion, inspecting the development in the course of construction. This fee is payable within 14 days of receipt of the invoice."

So when the vendor built the extension he would have recieved this invoice and paid the £100. (oh and this was back in 2002)

My solicitors are saying they need a copy of this invoice.
I really don't understand why, and its not something I have. He obviously didn't keep it and pass it over to me.

So I'm a bit stuck with what to do about it??

I really don't think the lady buying my house is going to care about seeing a 9 year old invoice??

kiki*_2

Hi I dont know the legal view but I would say be honest with the solicitor. We are currently buying a house and our solicitor has asked for a few things that we're not really bothered about but she wants to know from a legal view.

Like you say the buyers probably don't want to see it but solicitor does.

pmlindyloo

ToriF wrote: »

Hi,

Bit or a random question so I appreciate I may not get an answer, but any opinions would be appreciated

I'm selling my house and we're almost there.. just a few last enquiries which are holding things up ..

The previous owner built an extension and as part of this there was a "Build Over Agreement - Consent for development affecting a public sewer" " with the water company as the extension was over a sewer.
I've got a copy of this so that all fine.
However as part of this there was:


"AWS charges £100 for admin costs, including inspecting the plan and, at its discretion, inspecting the development in the course of construction. This fee is payable within 14 days of receipt of the invoice."

So when the vendor built the extension he would have recieved this invoice and paid the £100. (oh and this was back in 2002)

My solicitors are saying they need a copy of this invoice.
I really don't understand why, and its not something I have. He obviously didn't keep it and pass it over to me.

So I'm a bit stuck with what to do about it??

I really don't think the lady buying my house is going to care about seeing a 9 year old invoice??

I think from what you've said and what is written the solicitor is asking for the invoice to show that this was carried out? Not completely sure!

I do know that solicitors are 'neurotic' (:), sorry all you solicitors) about every little detail and to be fair they have to cover themselves if things went wrong. Also, I know mortgage companies are very fussy about extensions and nearly always ask for an indeminity policy to cover any missing documents. ( the benefits/or not of such being regularly discussed!)

I hope someone will be along to clarify this for you.

At least I've 'bumped it up' for you!

G_M

For gods sake it's £100!
19 years ago!

Just say you no longer have the receipt.

I can't believe a buyer will walk away over a £100 that was probobly paid 10 years ago and even if it wasn't is unlikely to be demanded after all this time and even if it is.... it's £100!

ToriF

Hi,

Thanks for the bump :-)

ok so as i don't have this invoice, it means I would have to get an indemnity policy instead?

Or is this up to the buyer to do if they decided they need/ want it?

Any idea roughly how muh one would cost?

Thanks

lincroft1710

As debts are not enforceable after 6 years, most people don't keep bills or invoices beyond this period, if even for this length of time. Therefore the solicitor is being optimistic in expecting you to have the invoice.

ToriF

G_M wrote: »

For gods sake it's £100!
19 years ago!

Just say you no longer have the receipt.

I can't believe a buyer will walk away over a £100 that was probobly paid 10 years ago and even if it wasn't is unlikely to be demanded after all this time and even if it is.... it's £100!

My thoughts exactly ... and I never had the receipt in the first place as the work was done by the previous vendor.

I have already told my solictors I don't have it but they dont seem to listen to me as they are asking for it again :-(

G_M

Or knock £100 off the sale price, just for an easy life? Don't see why you should but.....

and I'm sure you can find £100's worth of lightbulbs, fancy taps (replace with cheap B&Q), etc to take when you leave ....

ToriF

Thanks for all the replies.

It would be so much easier if I could just talk to the buyer but unfortunately I don't have her contact details so this has to go back and forth between the solictors which takes weeks.

I know my buyer is very keen to exchange asap so she probably doesn't even know about this.

I'll just tell my solictors (again) that I don't have it .... and yes if it comes to it I can just knock £100 off the sale price but i'm reluctant to do that just becuase that will mean re-doing and signing the contracts (which with the pace my solictors work at could add weeks!)

DVardysShadow

ToriF wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

It would be so much easier if I could just talk to the buyer but unfortunately I don't have her contact details so this has to go back and forth between the solictors which takes weeks.

I know my buyer is very keen to exchange asap so she probably doesn't even know about this.

I'll just tell my solictors (again) that I don't have it .... and yes if it comes to it I can just knock £100 off the sale price but i'm reluctant to do that just becuase that will mean re-doing and signing the contracts (which with the pace my solictors work at could add weeks!)

Get your agent to get the buyer in contact with you. Or discuss it through the agent, which is one less person to deal through - and probably more motivated too. Dealing with something like this through solicitors will cause more problems that it solves - but once it is sorted let your solicitor know.

kmmr

what would you be being indemnified against? enforcement of a nine year old invoice that may or may not have been paid?

this sounds like a slightly over keen solicitor... my solicitor, who is wonderful, sometimes gets a bit over diligent on things like this until i find out, so definately worth communicating directly (somehow) with the buyer.