Any legal eagles help please?

FUNKYDADDIO

Hi guys, looking for advice ref house buying. Without giving massive story high level is we bought a house which the vendor didn't technically own and applied for probate ten Weeks after sale agreed!! Now as we wait very belatedly to agree their solicitor who has behaved questionably since the start wants a deposit whilst ownership is still outstanding!! They want a deposit for something they don't own. Is their an ombudsman or confidential line I can contact our anyone who can advise?? Thanks...

leftieM

Has your own solicitor no advice to give? Surely that's part of what you're paying them for?

vax2002

How have you bought it if you have not paid a deposit ?

michelle2008

Is now perhaps the time to start looking at other houses? Sound li,e far too much hassle - especially as it is a buyers market

revpeachy

A good solicitor would hold your deposit in their client account until such time that ownership is established and confirmed and then your solicitor will release funds to the vendor.
Good luck

FUNKYDADDIO

We have signed a provisional contract as a sign of commitment, as they requested. Own solicitor seems bullied by vendor solicitor to be honest.. I suppose my main questions are, can they list for sale without owning and also is this deposit required if ownership not decided?? thanks..

tommie

I would strongly advise you to ask that question in this local housing forum here http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?showforum=52

x12yhp

Oh I am not sure asking on HPC will help - most of the replies will be insisting you are stupid.

I have to admit I would also wish to with-hold. It seems rather off to be so insistent when the seller is in the wrong. At the very least I would demand and final and non-negotiable completion date with stated penalty should they fail to get through probate as they hope.