Buyer and Seller - Same solicitor

Hellz85

Hi all

Today I had my offer accepted on a house.:j The EA asked me which Solicitor I would be using and it turns out that the seller is using the same company but it's a different branch. Is this a problem? Is there a conflict of interests or is it likely to speed the process up?

TIA

m0bov

should be fine and will speed up the process. i did the same

G_M

Unlikely to speed the process.

It's legally fine as long as there's a clear 'firewall' within the company separating the solicitors.

But frankly, I would never do this. The reality is that IF there is a problem in the sale/purchase, any dispute over interpretaion of documents, or lack of a document etc, then solicitors working for the same firm will find it harder to argue with each other.

Employ a different firm, who will have ONLY your interests at heart.

Kuromei

Don't do it!

We were in the same position 6 months ago and used the same firm but different solicitors as our buyer. We were told at the time by both the solicitors and the mortgage companies that it wasn't a problem.

On the day we were due to exchange, our buyer's mortgage company suddenly decided it wasn't ok, and our buyer had to use a new solicitor delaying our purchase.

On a positive note though, we did eventually manage to sell and purchase our new property fairly smoothly and within 4 months.

m0bov

documents flow much quicker it help beat the stamp duty last march. i found it made the whole process much quicker.

phill99

Don't do it. You need someone acting for you independently. No matter what fire walls are put in place, it will never e. satisfactory solution. You need a solicitor who is genuinely at arms length from the other party.

wannapayoff

We're using the same solicitor as our buyer and at 6 weeks in they're looking to exchange, just waiting for our buyer to supply proof of deposit.. No probs so far.

mum_of2_2

We are doing this. We are using the same firm as our buyers and they are in the same building. Thought that would make things go quicker but, if anything, it's made the process much slower. Responses are slow to queries etc, which I can't understand because they are literally in the same office! This is the first time we're selling and buying and won't make the same mistake next time.

G_M

It's just not worth it.

To those who have said "we did it and all went well": yes, when there are no issues, it goes well!

The problem arises when there ARE issues. Maybe that is only 1 in 20 deals. Or even 1 in 100.

But it is when issues arise that you need your solicitor to be absolutely on your side. No split loyalties, either to his colleague, or his employer/firm.

The so-called 'advantges' (speed - errr.. maybe, but maybe not) are far outweighed by the disadvantage, even if that disadvantage only materialises in a small number of cases.