Seriously disappointed by the solicitors - Can't they talk with each other?

Roselondon_2

4 weeks have pased, yet nothing has been done!

We have been pushing really hard on the side of the mortgage, as we thought that's the only thing which would take long.

We found the solicitor bvia some online good comments. And the first few contacts did show they are professional and know what they talk about. We sort of laid our full trust on them to deal with the legal part. I even hesitated to call him to ask about the progress as I thought it would represent "mistrust" only...

Result is: 4 weeks after instructed him as our solicitor to present the case, nothing has been done! We just got the confirmation from the bank that our mortgage is approved and we sent back the signed mortgage offer back this morning. But when I rang my solicitor, he said to me "you need to tell the vendor's solicitor to send me the basic documents like the plan to enable me start the search"! Holly crap! I was really shocked to hear that.

He said he told my husband on phone about 10 days ago that the vendor's solicitor hadn't sent him any basic information. But when I asked my husband, he said the solicitor hasn't mentioned anything like that over the phone!

And then I feel so furious and rang the property agent and tell them to see what's goinig on on the vendor's side. They replied right away saying my solictor didn't send them any email/letter to confirm he's representing us!!!

I really lose my word at this moment. First of all the golden rule is always true: Never ever fully trust anyone.

Secondly, I am so confused: Can't the solicitors talk with each other on simple issues like this rather than letting me and the agent to pass words between them????

Did we pick up the wrong solicitor at all???:mad:

SmlSave

It sounds like you may have chosen the wrong solicitor I'm afraid. The first thing they should have done is sent their inital letter to the estate agent and the other solicitor to say they are acting on your behalf.

Then if they didn't get the contract pack and plans in a couple of week to chase the same.

You might be better off finding another solicitor to act for you

Gonzo33

I would be furious, but at the same time I also would not have left it this late to know what is going on. I am not a patient person though, and know the process of buying very well.

I have literally just had an offer accepted on a place. I will be on my solicitors case from next week to find out if they have had a draft contract, etc as I have a very tight time frame (they know this). Having had an offer accepted yesterday I have made the full application for the mortgage last night and directed my solicitors. I have also received the memorandum of sale this morning which means that my solicitor should be requesting a draft contract next week, and if they don't I will want to know why.

I am probably my solicitors worst nightmare, but they know me very well so they are used to me!

Get on their case, or change! If you change though make sure the solicitors are on your mortgage lenders panel.

Roselondon_2

Thanks for understanding me at this point of time. But I am afraid it's a bit too late to change the solicitor, as the mortgage has been approved and the bank is already going to send whatever documents to this solicitor.

I just again rang them to ask what's going on exactly. Apparently, the secretary (my solicitor is with client) told me IT IS their standard procedure to send the initial letter at the very beginning and they always chase as well (what a surprise!).

She said they sincerely apologize and will ring the vendor's solicitor right away to ask for "the plan" to start search!

Terrible. They are based on Cambridge. I found them had good online reviews by several people at different forums and then decided to use them. The initial contacts did show their clear logic, knowledge and patience. That's also why I am so pxxx off right now!

Golden rule: Never ever fully trust anyone... Start from now on, I will chase if not everyday, will be every two days.

Roselondon_2

Gonzo33, I am a very impatient person as well. But my mistake is to trust this person - certainly he didn't show the continuity of his professionalism after having got business...

We did ring the bank everyday. From now on, will have to do it to the solicitor and the agent altogether.

I am inspired by you. Probably it's a good idea to set a target date...

Lo32SC

I found it was helpful to ask each party what the next stage is, and a realistic timeframe for completing that action. Then set yourself dates/times to chase these things up.

Micro managing this way seems tedious but I learnt the hard way not to presume that everyone was getting on with things.

Good luck!

Roselondon_2

Lo32SC, you are right. That's also a good idea.

We did make the wrong assumption that the mortgage is the hardest and most time consuming part. So we threw ourselves in it completely but overlooking the legal side, as the solicitor at the beginning drew us a timeline saying he's suppose to start the search "the week after".

Again, golden rule: Never assume, never trust and always chase yourself...

Thrugelmir

Until there is a mortgage offer in place then little does happen. The vendor is not going to want their solicitor to run up any charges until such time as they know that the sale is going to progress.

Roselondon_2

Thrugelmir, a very good point.

But still, this shouldn't have happened if my solicitor had been proactive enough.

Also, nowadays, there's this thing called "no completion, no fee". Does the vendor have the chance to get a similar condition?

harvey115

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Until there is a mortgage offer in place then little does happen. The vendor is not going to want their solicitor to run up any charges until such time as they know that the sale is going to progress.

That is not correct, although from vendor point of view it makes sense. However searches can take more than 2 or three weeks as well sometimes and doing everything after the mortgage offer would be looking for a disaster.

My solicitor also did not start searching as soon I instructed them but they straight away requested the documents bundle from the vendor. Once they had all the documents at hand they started querying bits and bobs before instructed searches. So here is what happened:

- Solicitor instructed to take my case
- Solicitor requested vendor solicitors for documents bundle
- Review the documents on receipt
- Send me any concerns over the planned contract by Vendor
- On my satisfaction with the contract, start with searches
- Get mortgage Offer
- Satisfy Lender solicitor with search results and anything remaining
- Exchange once the Lender is happy (mortgage offer is a must at this point)
- Complete once the date comes and get the money transferred

Hope this helps.

Roselondon_2

harvey115, thank you very much for the detailed process. It would have been very helpful if I read this earlier...

We are FTB, even though after fair amount of research online, we had a bit idea what's what, but we weren't sure the solicitor should exchange much information with us before exchanging contract. Until this morning, I still understood that he's collecting all the information and would brief us face to face later on at the meeting before exchanging contract.

We just now thought to give him a target date, but then now I am a bit afraid that will pushing him too much with a very tight timeline - e.g. aiming at completion within 5 weeks - makes him not do the search and not raise enquiries properly? Will he just put everything easy so that won't dig properly for any potential issues? - Once you lose confidence in someone, you realise everything is possible!

it's too late to change the solicitor. But at this moment, I feel so regreted that we chose him.

By the way, two hours after I left message to him requesting a call, he is still too busy to respond, instead he's being occupied by other clients in and out and other calls... I was only able to talk with his secretary twice and she confirmed she got "the plan" already from the vendor's solicitor by simply ringing them!!! She's starting the search now...