Solicitor Won't Issue Final Account

Leigh__Bird

Hi, I'm at a bit of a loss here and just wondering if anyone has ever had the same issue...
We moved into our new house mid October 2016 and our solicitor will not give us our final account, i'm expecting a lump sum back but i keep getting fobbed off with 'yes well we are nearly there with it now' or words to that affect, and won't give any details on what still needs to be done.
Is it normal to still be waiting this long? Surely the mortgage balance has been paid off the old house, and estate agents will have been paid, plus his own fees, so what could be the hold up here?
There was a help to buy ISA given to him early September, but surely that can't take this long to claim...
I like to give the benefit of the doubt but i'm getting frustrated now!
I've called twice a week at least since October and getting nowhere fast.

Anyone been here before?

davidmcn

Any retentions, final service charge accounts etc? They should certainly at least tell you what the hold-up is and only be holding back the minimum amount necessary.

G_M

Write.

A polite letter requesting the final account or, if it is unavailable, an explanation for the delay.

You could also check yourself whether

* SDLT has been paid
* your purchase is registered with Land Registry
* HTB ISA has been paid
* EA has been paid

all easy to check

david1951

If the amount that they 'owe' you is large enough, they may need to pay you interest. Ask for their policy (they need to have one) and to confirm whether any interest is due. This could help speed them up a bit.

Interest rates are very low so this might not apply.

G_M

david1951 wrote: »

If the amount that they 'owe' you is large enough, they may need to pay you interest. Ask for their policy (they need to have one) and to confirm whether any interest is due. This could help speed them up a bit.

Interest rates are very low so this might not apply.

You should have been given a copy of their T&Cs, which should specify the position regarding interest payments.

Sedge123

We received ours within a week.

Fosterdog

Our purchase finalised at the beginning of September but due to land registry taking ages to update details we not get all of our final paperwork and account balance details through until the of November and that was just a simple no chain purchase so it is likely to take longer if there is a chain involved and more to finalise

bruich76

usually get the balance on completion. Land Registry and everything else is sorted afterwards - we know the fees that the LR charge so we deduct these before returning the balance to you.


If money is being withheld seems unfair and unreasonable. I would find out who is in charge of complaints and see what is going on. If you are due money back then its unreasonable to wait 3 months.