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Lease extension - we are being exploited!
hydrographer20
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi everyone,
I would really appreciate your help on this issue - I think its pretty unique and I have never experienced anything quite like this before! Its funny (if i look on the bright side) but equally bonkers and totally unprofessional.....
To cut a even more crazy story short - last week after spending this whole year (started Jan 2016) trying to extend the lease we finally received the lease and completion statement.
The completion statement did not include ground rent taken off. It also included £4k of freeholders solicitors fees and £800 surveyor fee.
So heres the good bit...
Both the freeholder and myself have been spending about 2 months to get to this point with this solicitor. The freeholder seems actually pretty nice and emailed me over the surveyors invoice he received.
The surveyors invoice I received a copy of was for £250 - not the £800 per the completion statement.
Additionally the solicitor has so far refused to provide a breakdown of their fees or answer as to why the surveyor fee is higher. He is even ignoring the freeholders and emails.
The freeholder and I both agree they are way overinflated and much higher than the £1200 quoted fee. I am currently refusing to pay the fee unless it is reasonably justified....
I am unable to report this solicitor as he is acting for the freeholder not me - what can I do??
I am accountant and this seems very unprofessional and I would not be able to behave in this manner without getting struck off. I was told that I could sue the freeholder for the high fees and then in turn have the freeholder sue the solicitor? Is this true?
Sorry for the long post but any help is appreciated! We are moving abroad in 3 weeks time which is why this is now super urgent!
I would really appreciate your help on this issue - I think its pretty unique and I have never experienced anything quite like this before! Its funny (if i look on the bright side) but equally bonkers and totally unprofessional.....
To cut a even more crazy story short - last week after spending this whole year (started Jan 2016) trying to extend the lease we finally received the lease and completion statement.
The completion statement did not include ground rent taken off. It also included £4k of freeholders solicitors fees and £800 surveyor fee.
So heres the good bit...
Both the freeholder and myself have been spending about 2 months to get to this point with this solicitor. The freeholder seems actually pretty nice and emailed me over the surveyors invoice he received.
The surveyors invoice I received a copy of was for £250 - not the £800 per the completion statement.
Additionally the solicitor has so far refused to provide a breakdown of their fees or answer as to why the surveyor fee is higher. He is even ignoring the freeholders and emails.
The freeholder and I both agree they are way overinflated and much higher than the £1200 quoted fee. I am currently refusing to pay the fee unless it is reasonably justified....
I am unable to report this solicitor as he is acting for the freeholder not me - what can I do??
I am accountant and this seems very unprofessional and I would not be able to behave in this manner without getting struck off. I was told that I could sue the freeholder for the high fees and then in turn have the freeholder sue the solicitor? Is this true?
Sorry for the long post but any help is appreciated! We are moving abroad in 3 weeks time which is why this is now super urgent!
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