Two solicitors not working together -options?

GRBWA

Quite advanced in the conveyancing stages however the two solicitors are not communicating properly with each other.

Our solicitor (purchasing) is saying there is a query outstanding and opposite number claims everything requested is provided.

Whilst they squabble the purchase is in limbo.

Not even sure what I can do to bang their heads together.

Thoughts and advice welcome

xylophone

What is the query?

GRBWA

Apparently there is a building on next doors property which crosses the boundary of the property we are buying.

Vendor currently owns both properties. It's not even a dispute. Our sol says they have raised it as an enquiry; opposite number merely says all queries answered to which my sol says otherwise.

Quite why they can't pick up the phone to each other is beyond me.

xylophone

If a building on a neighbouring property crossed the boundary of one I wished to purchase, I'd be raising a query too!

You seem remarkably relaxed about it?

What is the building? Is it connected to either property or free standing?

Who will own the building?

If the vendor's solicitors have not clarified the matter, why not?

What does your solicitor say he has been told about the matter?

GRBWA

Our solicitor has raised it and claims no response.

Opposite solicitor being very vague .

I tried to get them revved up by stressing urgency to the estate agent who the showed me a mail from vendors solicitor saying all issues are dealt with and that I was making "threats" and "ultimatums" to them.

It's all a bit bizarre

xylophone

It's all a bit bizarre

Opposite solicitor being very vague .

Hm.... to me it looks more like fudging the issue - I'd say that your solicitor is acting in your interests to want clarification - in your shoes I would not proceed without it!

I would want the questions in my previous post answered - don't you?

mrginge

I think they are purposely not answering because you wont like the answer.

Get on to the ea, explain that you cannot proceed any further without clear answers to your queries and ask them to resolve the issue for you. Tell them that the threats and ultimatum response they have from the solicitor is entirely correct, in that if they do not provide a response then you will be walking.

xylophone

What do the deeds of both properties show?

Is the "building" shown?

Or has the vendor, as he currently owns both properties, simply erected an outbuilding on what is currently all his land?

Will he continue to want access to it when one property is sold?

It seems to me vital that these questions are answered?

GRBWA

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to up the ante first thing tomorrow .

eddddy

I think you need to be very focussed and precise in moving this forward. The situation is:

Your solicitor has sent a letter (including a query) to the seller's solicitor, and has not received a reply.

So you need to:

1) Ask your solicitor to email you a copy of the letter
2) Forward it to the seller (via the EA if you like), telling them to ask their solicitor why they have not replied to the letter.

Hopefully, the seller will reply to you with, something like:

- My solicitor never received the letter, or
- My solicitor replied to that letter on xx/xx/2015

... and from there you can start getting things back on track.

Smudge46

A friend of my partner is going through the same problem which is/has caused issues as they are all in a chain. They have had to wait for a response from land registry to confirm who's land their porch is on and it's not a swift process judging from what they are going through. If the building crosses boundries then I would imagine you would need to have the boundries changed or have covenants placed on to the deeds regarding use and rights.

I hope you get it sorted soon as we know all to well from our current situation that waiting for solicitors to get a grip is frustrating.

Regards