Same Solicitor for buyer and seller?

varghesejim

This is for my friend. His offer for a house is accepted(not a new build). The estate agent recommends a solicitor to him. EA said it is the same solicitor for the buyer.

Is there any problem when a solicitor works for the buyer and seller?

Is there any problem going with a solicitor the EA recommends?

movilogo

Usually law society prohibits same solicitor working for both parties as conflict of interest may arise.

For your own benefit, you should use a different solicitor.

Surrey_EA

It is not completely unheard of, but is particularly rare, and probably best avoided.

KennyH1

Most mortgage companies will not allow this.

They will accept 2 solicitors from the same firm but not the same solicitor.

Malmo

Going to give you the standard advice I give to everyone. It is rarely in the buyer's best interests to take up services "recommended" by estate agents.

Have your friend read [URL=" https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4767543this useful and informative MSE thread[/URL] on how to choose a conveyancing solicitor, before you do anything.

Then have them read this article to understand what "good" looks like for quotations and what to expect from a good quotation.

Don't just stick to one quote. Get at least 3 including a local solicitor or 2 near to your friend.

R997

We did this recently and it did not help the process at all. There can be a conflict of interest in that two solicitors working for the same firm are unlikely to be as forceful putting across your point of view as two solicitors who don't know each other.
I'd also be vary wary of using a solicitor recommended by the EA. They may have some other interest in making this recommendation other than the solicitors good reputation.
Your friend would probably be better to choose their own solicitor based on good recommendations.

stator

Don't accept recommended solicitors from an EA/lender or any other company, they 'recommend' based soley on who pays them the biggest kickback!
Only hire a solicitor based on personal reviews, or perhaps online reviews if you have no friends.

Immers7

What everyone else has said about using "recommended Solicitors". It is a conflict of interest too. Some of them try and get round this by using different offices of the same firm.

Use someone personally recommended by a friend/family member.

agrinnall

Nay, nay, thrice nay

Mr Frankie Howerd

eddddy

stator wrote: »

Don't accept recommended solicitors from an EA/lender or any other company, they 'recommend' based soley on who pays them the biggest kickback!
Only hire a solicitor based on personal reviews, or perhaps online reviews if you have no friends.

Yes - a typical referral fee can be around £500.

That means £500 of your money goes straight into the EAs pocket, often for just making one phone call.

ethank

I accept recommendations from people I love and respect, but never from a complete stranger - NEVER!

These people may be friendly, but they are not your friends - they are there to make money.

Much better to do you own homework, and ask people you trust if they can recommend someone.