Solicitor nightmares - unknown charges two months after sale...

amii1989

Hi all,

I'm delighted to say that, after first seeing my property in January, I finished the purchasing process in March and have been living here for two wonderful months.

That is until today, when my solicitor wrote and informed me that she forgot to add a charge to my completition statement (which I paid in full in March) of £120. This was for the deed of covenant, and a cost accrued by my landlords solicitor (my property is run by a management company - complex situation).

I am absolutely so frustrated that this cost has never been mentioned to me before. I'm living on my own so costs like this hit me very hard. Do I have any legal standpoint to refute the cost?

I think I know the answer

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

amii1989 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm delighted to say that, after first seeing my property in January, I finished the purchasing process in March and have been living here for two wonderful months.

That is until today, when my solicitor wrote and informed me that she forgot to add a charge to my completition statement (which I paid in full in March) of £120. This was for the deed of covenant, and a cost accrued by my landlords solicitor (my property is run by a management company - complex situation).

I am absolutely so frustrated that this cost has never been mentioned to me before. I'm living on my own so costs like this hit me very hard. Do I have any legal standpoint to refute the cost?

I think I know the answer

They're allowed to correct an invoicing mistake. If you were in business, and accidentally omitted a 0 from your bill, and had no recourse to collect monies owed you'd be pretty !!!!ed off!

Now, if the fees relate to activities wholly and exclusively related to work subsequent to the invoice, and you didn't ask them to do the work, then that's a different matter. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Thrugelmir

amii1989 wrote: »

I am absolutely so frustrated that this cost has never been mentioned to me before. (

Perhaps it's only recently been billed to them.

Refute the cost all you like. Bewarned though solicitors make formidable debt collectors.

amii1989

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

They're allowed to correct an invoicing mistake. If you were in business, and accidentally omitted a 0 from your bill, and had no recourse to collect monies owed you'd be pretty !!!!ed off!

Now, if the fees relate to activities wholly and exclusively related to work subsequent to the invoice, and you didn't ask them to do the work, then that's a different matter. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Thank you - I know I'm pushing my luck somewhat! The joys of homebuying and living on the breadline for several months afterwards...

It's so frustrating as they never said this cost existed - not for the landlord's solicitor anyway, so never quoted me for it or told me it would need doing.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

amii1989 wrote: »

Thank you - I know I'm pushing my luck somewhat! The joys of homebuying and living on the breadline for several months afterwards...

It's so frustrating as they never said this cost existed - not for the landlord's solicitor anyway, so never quoted me for it or told me it would need doing.

Your solicitor has to have a detailed complaints procedure - by all means complain, if you feel it's necessary. If it's not resolved to your satisfaction, you can take it to the Legal Ombudsman, a free service. The may well just write it off early on to save the hassle.

Personally, for the sake of £120, the fact Id just secured my first home, and the likelihood that I'm probably legally obliged to pay it, I'd just pay it. Pick your battles and all that....