Help!Mortgage redemption early repayment charge - Solicitors fault

topaz345

I am completing on selling my property today and my solicitor emailed me yesterday to confirm that I was 'happy' with the redemption figure from my mortgage company. I noticed that the final figure included an early repayment charge as the settlement was to be within 1 month (in this case 1 day). I spoke with my solicitor and he confirmed that the final figure did include an early repayment fee as he said he was not aware that there was one so hadn't bothered to request the settlement earlier! This figure amounts to £803.55 so not a small sum by any means. I pointed out that I had sent him a copy of redemption figure very early on and highlighted the fact that there was a redemption to pay if notice was not provided. He then asked what I wanted to do given that it literally was the 11th hour and he was just about to exchange! Prior to this I was under the impression that exchange had already taken place (this sale had been going on since the end of January)! The solicitor has been incompetent from the beginning and I have had to chase him the whole time. The purchasers were first time buyers with their mortgage agreed and there was no chain involved my side, so it has taken a ridiculous amount of time for the circumstances.

I am appalled that I will now be more than £800 out of pocket due to a mistake that the solicitor made, can someone please offer advice?
Many thanks in advance.
Michelle

kingstreet

Duplicated thread. Ignore.