How often do you communicate with your solicitor / conveyancer?

Nynaeve

I ask because I seem to be receiving very little communication from mine. I prefer to use e-mail where possible, it's probably quicker for her easier for me to understand and digest.

I e-mailed about an issue with our survey a week ago, when I didn't receive a response I mailed again at the weekend. I would just like to know that she has received my mail and is looking into it.

Part of me wants to pester her every minute of the day until she actually does something, but if I annoy her she could possibly just keep putting us to the back of the queue.

I don't want to be unreasonable but I'm getting annoyed. :mad:

TDPIX

Nynaeve wrote: »

I would just like to know that she has received my mail and is looking into it.

Request a read receipt when sending an e-mail?

Yorkie1

I always got an email back the same day, or the following day, from my solicitor.

If you haven't received a response by mid-afternoon tomorrow, I'd pick up the phone and speak to her or at least her secretary for a progress report.

It may be that she doesn't have the answer - but she should have acknowledged the email at the very least.

Is she usually good at responding?

Vikkles

My mortgage broker told me to call mine every week. I plan on doing it every Friday. It is totally acceptable to call for an update and sometimes they do need a gentle kick up the bum.
A call is much harder to ignore than an e-mail

propertyman

Two things

1: Don't call Friday; Call Thursday

Can you let me have Friday am a full update

that's time to respond and a day to chase without an intervening weekend.

2: Sometimes not a lot happens- helicopter clients only make it worse clogging up voice mail and inboxes,

so you ask smart questions.

This is good guide to the basics, so that you can ask
-what needs to be done and when
-when should I worry if it's not done
and with that info, know when they are telling porkies.
http://www.themovechannel.com/guides/Buying/Conveyancing/Conveyancing/
That way you are working to a similar timetable, not at the whim of your worries or their ineptitude

Marcy_Marc

Clients are funny things.

Friday mornings are usually very busy times at conveyancers offices - given this is when the majority of completions are set up for. Although they always want an update Friday morning !
As above, call Thursday and you're more likely to get a welcoming response.

Personally, email is by far the easiest of methods, but can also easily slip out of ones mind if side tracked.

The clients that call up and harass 3 times a day are always at the front of your mind - but the updates you give them are not always positive and it appears you're doing nothing on their file (even though this isnt the case! Masses of communication between parties on either side doesn't happen between a 9am update and a 12pm update!!). The ones that leave you to get on with it and talk to you when you contact them and provide everything as readily as possible are not always a the front of your mind - but the updates you give and the progression that appears to have occurred are always better.

LLouiseR

Phone. "I'm sorry to bother you, I sent an email to xxxxx but I don't seem to have had a response, can you please check to see if xxxxx has had my email. I'd like an update on what is happening thanks"
My solicitor took a weeks holidays when i was buying my house - how dare he! but seriously it could be something that simple.
And, whilst its no comfort whatsoever, reponding to everybody's calls / emails/ letters just to say 'ill look into that' takes a disproportionate length of time that could be spent doing the work -possibly one of many reasons why you've not had an individual response

dawyldthing

mine put everything on the backburner for 2 months as i thought she was doing searches to only find out after chasing 2 months after paying for searches that they werent going anywhere as probate hadn't been granted. I'd even say phone Tuesdays possibly too as as the saying goes those who shout loudest gets sorted first' or something of the like, and its only since i've been e-mailing and phoning twice a week that anything has actually happened

kingstreet

Nynaeve wrote: »

I e-mailed about an issue with our survey

I'm not condoning the lack of response, but if you don't mind me asking what are you asking a conveyancer about a survey?

Is it possible they've had to ask for an answer to your question from a third party, like the agent or vendor's solicitor?

Nynaeve

Thanks all,

Turns out she was away and was sending e-mails through the online conveyancing part of the service (we are using a HSBC panel solicitor so they have to update the Countrywide website) We didn't realise this. She has promised to e-mail directly to my account in the future.

It was the first time I had spoken to her on the phone since instruction and she has plenty of time for me, explained everything, how we are progressing and I feel much better.

The survey issue is to do with building regulations and my survey said to consult a legal advisor so definately their area!

If I need to phone I'll try to call Thursday and avoid Monday as you've advised

PasturesNew

I emailed concisely, to advise my solicitors that I had a buyer, the price, buyer's name, agent name, agent fee. I noted two other changes to the original sale they were progressing .... and that's it.... three weeks ago.

They'll be doing whatever it is they do, answering queries, sorting papers.

I have faith and trust..... it'll happen.