RMNJ Conveyancing

richardman

First time buyer here, offer accepted yesterday, didn't know what the term "conveyance" until yesterday.

Did some searches on Google, very confusing about mixed reviews on each conveyancer.

EA did provide me their suggest conveyancer named "Lifetime Legal". Can't Google much about them. I guess they are OK, at least can't see anything negative.

Reallymoving.com seems the only one I can find with confused.com or moneysupermarket type of quote & search style, although I wasn't sure whether they are an independent provider or not.

I got 4 quotes from reallymoving.com. Google searched the 4 firms for hours. Was tempted to try Beaumont, as they are on HSBC panel which is what I am applying mortgage with. But saw negative comments, back in the past and not so long ago.

Then, not sure why, last night I just go for the second one on my shortlist, RMNJ. Clicked on quotation link and was directed to their site to fill in some details. Received email confirmation this morning with Client Zone ID so I can check status online. Surprise no "Hello, welcome blah blah" phone call from them. Checked status online, they have already progressed to "Contract paperwork requested" stage. According to their explanation:

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RMNJ will write to the Seller's Solicitors and request that they send the Contract paperwork. The paperwork will consist of a Contract for the sale of the property, Property Information Forms completed by the Seller, Land Registry register and plan for the property.
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So they have already contacted the EA, got seller's solicitor details, contacted seller's solicitor to request paperwork already? I thought I have to sign some kind of paper work with RMNJ and provide ID first before actually start this conveyancing work.

I haven't tried to contact RMNJ via email/phone directly yet. Not sure what to ask if they've already start working on it. Let see how things go. Wondering if this would be an 100% online process?

Will keep posted on my conveyancing progress.

BR/Richard

csgohan4

Don't use EA services ever


I'm also in the process of buying a house using RMNJ. Have you paid for the searches yet?


I wouldn't trust the online portal, they don't update it, best to call them to chase things up and make sure everything is on track.


They also use agents to look at Local authority searches rather than themselves personally. Took them8 working days for their agent to visiting the offices of the local authority to providing a report, really quite a long time. The turn around if you asked the local council to do it is around 2 days.


RMNJ are not perfect, but their not the worse either. I also got them through Really moving. In hindsight I should have used a local one which had won awards nationally.

G_M

If you are happy to proceed with RMNJ, then fine - looks like they are off!

If not, email them asap and follow up with a letter, informing them you have not instructed them, not signed a contract with them, and telling them not to proceed.

Who should you use?

Not the estate agent recommended conveyancer. The EA is on commission, and anyway works for the seller, ot you. He is not your friend.

Compare quotes, wherever you get them, carefully. Read:

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/conveyancing-quote.php

My advice is to visit 2 or 3 localsoicitors to you, ask to see a solicitor for a quote, and sit down and discuss your purchae, your mortgage, and get a quote. Decide which you trust, compare the quotes, and then choose one.

richardman

No I have not paid anything yet. In fact, I was expecting to sign some sort of agreement and pay up front % first. All I get so far is confirmation and "Contract paperwork requested" status.

May be I shall give them a call tomorrow to see where they actually are and what's next.

Which stage are you at on their online portal?

BR/Richard

G_M

richardman wrote: »

No I have not paid anything yet. In fact, I was expecting to sign some sort of agreement and pay up front % first. All I get so far is confirmation and "Contract paperwork requested" status.

May be I shall give them a call tomorrow to see where they actually are and what's next.

Either just let them get on with it if that's what you want, or instruct them to stop as per my post above.

suniil

I'm trying my best to be patient! My purchase and sales are handled by RMNJ and they do in their own pace and style. Until you get close to exchange, the case will be handled by assistants. Both my conveyancing doesn't involves Mortgage, Surveys or complications like lease hold etc. We are in the end of 3rd month and still not exchanged.

Portal is rubbish. You don't have to pay anything upfront, except the actual fee for searches etc

stator

RMNJ will send you plenty of paperwork in the post, it will arrive in a few days. You send back ID etc.
Check carefully their list of 'additional charges' if you have a non-standard case. eg new registration

piggeh

My work colleague used RMNJ a few years ago. He said they were very good, I got a quote off them and plan to probably use them unless I use nationwides free conveyancing instead (£250 difference in costs in favour of nationwide). As they are not local they'll be more difficult to chase though and any complex cases it is probably best to use a local firm so you can actually have a sit down to discuss issues that arise.

Lummoxley

I'm currently using them, instructed 29/06 with no chain as buying ex-rental. RMNJ received vendors contract 16/07 searches paid for 16/07. In the intervening period survey done & mortgage agreed.

Informed by RMNJ yesterday that local searches could take until 07/08.

They respond well to email queries but I'm finding the process slow.

csgohan4

Lummoxley wrote: »

I'm currently using them, instructed 29/06 with no chain as buying ex-rental. RMNJ received vendors contract 16/07 searches paid for 16/07. In the intervening period survey done & mortgage agreed.

Informed by RMNJ yesterday that local searches could take until 07/08.

They respond well to email queries but I'm finding the process slow.

They may be slow but their prices are competitive and they have a good reputation. Only problem is they are not local and any issues will take longer.

suniil

For me, they have given the option for "Fast local authority search" for extra ££. Results came back in 2 days. Yes, they are painfully slow with emails and actions / responses, but always available over phone. Also another good thing is even if the Solicitor is on leave another person will be there to take charge and responsible for the file.

And the prices are very competitive. Still if you have an option to use local solicitors, that's the best choice IMO

Lummoxley wrote: »

I'm currently using them, instructed 29/06 with no chain as buying ex-rental. RMNJ received vendors contract 16/07 searches paid for 16/07. In the intervening period survey done & mortgage agreed.

Informed by RMNJ yesterday that local searches could take until 07/08.

They respond well to email queries but I'm finding the process slow.