Cheeky Solicitors

G_M

Where is the solicitor located and how did you find them?

BB.

G_M wrote: »

Where is the solicitor located and how did you find them?

I found them on my lender's approved solicitors list and they are based in NW London.

da_rule

In terms of the Licenced Conveyancers Code of Practice, you cannot use this to complain to the SRA. A licenced conveyancer and a solicitor are two different things, and the regulatory bodies are different. So you first need to know, are you dealing with a solicitor, a licenced conveyancer, a paralegal etc? The firm as a whole (rather than the individual solicitor) is probably imposing this charge. Then if the firm is regulated by the SRA then you need to find the relevant section of the SRA code of conduct in relation to advertising/informing you of costs.

ThePants999

Why don't you tell your vendor that if they're in such a rush to compete, THEY can pay the extra fee? :-)

LannieDuck

We had a similar fee to pay (also NW London), but they did mention it when we were arranging completion dates so we were aware at the right time.

Richard_Webster

All these fees are usually somewhere hidden in Terms & Conditions that would have been sent or made available online to OP. How reasonable that is, is another matter.

OP should be careful and check the T&Cs. If not there he can complain. If clearly there can't complain. If hidden in the depths, perhaps can complain.

Of course adding on fees like this doesn't encourage clients to come back or recommend others.....

caronoel

The solicitor has been fair with you in flagging up the additional costs well in advance.

Your complaint will, quite rightly, be rejected.

You now have three options:
1. Wait two weeks to completion
2. Ask the seller to pay the fee, if they need an urgent completion
3. Pay the £150 yourself.

You are in a very strong negotiating position with a time pressured vendor. I'd suggest you put options 1 and 2 to them, and don't waste your time and energy 'complaining'

£150 isn't unreasonable for an express service. Why should the offer this for free?

glentoran99

caronoel wrote: »

The solicitor has been fair with you in flagging up the additional costs well in advance.

Your complaint will, quite rightly, be rejected.

You now have three options:
1. Wait two weeks to completion
2. Ask the seller to pay the fee, if they need an urgent completion
3. Pay the £150 yourself.

You are in a very strong negotiating position with a time pressured vendor. I'd suggest you put options 1 and 2 to them, and don't waste your time and energy 'complaining'

£150 isn't unreasonable for an express service. Why should the offer this for free?

interesting logic, Once contracts are exchanged completion isn't a big job, What would they be doing differently for this express service that jusitifys this charge other than not leaving it sitting on someones desk for a fortnight

steeeb

I've not known an extra charge for completing earlier, and wouldn't really expect it.

If you wanted to perhaps exchange and complete on the same day - I could perhaps then understand it - as it may tie him up for large parts and he'd have to give priority to trying to sort this out.

With exchange being a week instead of 2 weeks he'd be doing exactly the same thing just a week earlier.

steampowered

Why don't you complain to the solicitor/conveyancer now, rather than waiting until later.

If you were not told about the charge the solicitor/conveyancer might agree to waive it.

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

Solicitors are regulated.

You can complain formal then raise the issue to the SRA.

The SRA does not deal with consumer complaints around things like billing or service. The Op would need to complain to the Legal Ombudsman. The Op would need to complain to the solicitor first before he/she can go to the Ombudsman.