How frequently do you chase your solicitor?

laurawilliams500

Last correspondence first thing Monday morning, considering chasing my solicitor tomorrow (Friday) to check progress... basically giving them a full working week!

Just wondered how often/quickly you all chase your solicitors if you've not heard anything?

I don't want to appear as nagging but at the same time we want progress

marksoton

Depends, what stage are you at?

System

I chased like that for a couple of weeks and then realised that they clearly operate on a "who shouts loudest" basis, so I started emailing every morning and then phoning if there was no reply by the afternoon.
If they say they are waiting for something, ask them what and the normal timescale for turnaround. Then chase again when that time has run out.

I found my recent dealings with solicitors to be incredibly frustrating and time consuming having to chase them all the time to drive the process along - i think if i hadn't they'd still be sitting there telling me they are waiting to hear about something!

I can only hope your experience is better than mine op!

laurawilliams500

We had our offer accepted 7 weeks ago. Homebuyers Report/Survey done, mortgage offer received and mortgage deed signed/returned.

There's no chains involved but we're being held up by the fact our solicitor hasn't received the contracts yet because the vendor is struggling to locate the leasehold deeds. Last I heard on Monday was that my solicitor has spoken to the other side who are trying to ascertain whether the deeds are with their old mortgage lender which "could take a few days". Our solicitor won't do any searches until they get the contracts (usual practice I assume?). Ultimately we don't want them to drag their heels because they're already living elsewhere and in theory because we have all the time in the world (living with parents)!

Ithaca

I nagged our solicitors a lot at the start to make sure the relevant forms etc were sent out, then I gave them some slack for a bit while searches etc rumbled on. Then once we'd had search results and most of the forms back I was on their case almost daily following the principle that mr_r_sole highlighted.

It was amazing how often they were "just reviewing the file" when I called them, I must have an uncanny sense of timing..!

marksoton

laurawilliams500 wrote: »

Last I heard on Monday was that my solicitor has spoken to the other side who are trying to ascertain whether the deeds are with their old mortgage lender which "could take a few days". Our solicitor won't do any searches until they get the contracts (usual practice I assume?).

I'd be going to the EA and applying pressure on them too.

Your solicitor will start searches when you instruct them to.

laurawilliams500

Tbh part of me is glad they're holding back on the searches as I'm a little apprehensive the vendors aren't going to find the deeds and if they don't they're going to have to do a first registration meaning we'd probably only get a posessory title and it's also only leasehold... this could throw a lot of spanners into what seemed like a simple purchase! So if our worst fears come true and the sale falls through at least then that's a little less of a blow to our pockets.

But I am the kind of person to prepare for the worst! I need to be more positive really lol.

But as I said I've been advised by my solicitor that he'll do the searches when the contracts come in... I, as a naive FTB, obviously assumed this was standard but it seems it may not be...

laurawilliams500

P.S. Would the EA have any involvement in helping the vendor locate deeds? As I said this is the current stumbling block, so I'm just wondering if it's right to pester them about that?

(Genuine question - as I said, inexperienced FTB)

marksoton

laurawilliams500 wrote: »

P.S. Would the EA have any involvement in helping the vendor locate deeds? As I said this is the current stumbling block, so I'm just wondering if it's right to pester them about that?

(Genuine question - as I said, inexperienced FTB)

No.

But a slight comment about your displeasure with the time delay might focus the vendor into realising they need to pull their finger out.

Surrey_EA

laurawilliams500 wrote: »

Tbh part of me is glad they're holding back on the searches as I'm a little apprehensive the vendors aren't going to find the deeds and if they don't they're going to have to do a first registration meaning we'd probably only get a posessory title and it's also only leasehold.

It sounds like the property you hope to purchase has not changed hands for some significant period of time?

laurawilliams500

Surrey_EA we know the property was built in 1963 (according to the survey). We don't know for definite but believe the vendors have owned the house since new or at least since prior to the 70s so yes, a significant period of time.

We know they tried to sell around 5/6 years ago - granted for £40k(!) extra than the price we've had accepted - but we are wondering if the issue prevented them from doing so as they then rented up until very recently. But then again, why they haven't registered with LR and sorted out the title (if the deeds are truely missing) before considering selling again I don't know.

Not going to be best pleased if they can't find the deeds so keeping our fingers tightly crossed, as have some knowledge but don't yet fully appreciate what potential issues we may face if we were to proceed with purchasing a leasehold property with possessory title!