Solicitor responsibilities

New-home_2

Hello. Our offer was accepted on March 26th and we still have no completion date in sight. Initially things were stalled as the vendor was recently divorced and is being forced to sell (not known when offer made!).

However, our solicitor received all information required from vendor on 29th April, and searches were instructed 1st May.

We then emailed him 13th May to inform him that the price had been reduced, and the amended mortgage offer would be with him over the next few days. At that point, I asked when we would be in a position to complete, as we had heard nothing. He asked when we would like to and would check with other side. I've since been informed he wrote to vendor 1 week later on 20th May requesting this.

In between, we received the sellers information on 22nd May, which contained a number of errors - such as there being buildings work - despite motgage valuation noting a large extension, or the fact that it has stated the house is not in a conservation area when it is - I feel like we should not be the first to point out this error, as presumably our solicitor will now need to seek permissions?

When I spoke to the EA today, he noted that Countrywide (Vendor's solicitor) had received no queries.

I guess my question is, should I be concerned with the level of service I am receiving? Whilst we were hoping to have completed 2 weeks ago, and with no exchange or completion dates in sight, I want us to complete only once things have been done properly.

Thanks for your help!

camptownraces

I think you should be concerned about the vendor's solicitor's incompetence in telling total untruths in reply to your enquiries.

You should also be concerned that the vendor's solicitor appears to have lied to estate agent about not having received your solicitor's letter.

Why are you drawing the estate agent into this correspondence between solicitors?

Vazz_2

Hi New-home

We have also made an offer on 19/03/13 and the additional enquiries have just been raised with the vendor's. I guess the hold up could be a fault of the other side but having been asking around, I was not able to find a single person who was happy with their conveyancer..

New-home_2

Would you expect the vendor's solicitor to be aware of any buildings work or knowledge of the property?

I am concerned that is their response and have expressed this, although less so now I am aware that this was only sent 20th May, we were under the impression from our solicitor it would be sent 13th May.

The EA has rang us to help as there have been a number of problems and they are part of the Countrywide group so can access the conveyancing notes immediately.

joerugby

Conveyancing always takes longer than you expected - chill!

New-home_2

Vazz wrote: »

Hi New-home

We have also made an offer on 19/03/13 and the additional enquiries have just been raised with the vendor's. I guess the hold up could be a fault of the other side but having been asking around, I was not able to find a single person who was happy with their conveyancer..

Thanks Vazz, I guess I am more concerned at what they might potentially miss rather than the delays. We're in no real rush to move but I'm concerned that I might miss something (such as the extension) and issues therefore cropping up after completion.

Maybe I've been unrealistic about what are mine and what are my solicitor's responsibilties.

New-home_2

joerugby wrote: »

Conveyancing always takes longer than you expected - chill!

The time isn't bothering me, it's more the information that we are receiving being inaccurate that makes me nervous.

Yorkie1

Countrywide conveyancers are notorious for their delay and lack of efficiency.

I know where I'd be looking first if there are errors or delays ...

kwmlondon

I have to say that I've never had any problem with an EA or a seller or buyer, it's always been the damn conveyancers that have been a nightmare....

New-home_2

Thanks everyone - so would you expect my solicitor not to have picked up on the fact that the vendor had answered no to extensions and therfore n/a to building regs - even though it was clearly stated in mortgage valuation? as that is my real concern

Thrugelmir

New-home wrote: »

Thanks everyone - so would you expect my solicitor not to have picked up on the fact that the vendor had answered no to extensions and therfore n/a to building regs - even though it was clearly stated in mortgage valuation? as that is my real concern

No. Why would they? They haven't seen the property. Nor are they going to cross check every detail in case its incorrect. That's why the documentation is sent to you.