Using newbuild developer's solicitor

Rony

Hi All,
So yesterday I viewed a new-build flat, liked it and went and discussed paperwork stuff with the developer's team. They accepted my offer woo-hoo and then they asked me if I wanted to use their panel solicitors (that it would normally cost c. £1.3k and that I would get £1.2k off pretty much all of it). Me being a FTB having zero knowledge really, I was put under the spotlight, under pressure I asked them if I could change my mind later if I chose to and they said no. I caved in after a few minutes and decided to go with their solicitor.

Now that I have had some time to think about it and do some research, some sites say that using their solicitor is bad as they lack independence and that a lot of things could be missed and that the solicitors are not really acting in my best interests. Other sites say that solicitors, whether they are the developer's or not need to act in my best interest as it is their professional duty.

So I am just posting on here to find out what you guys think and also if anyone has had any stories, whether you have used the recommended panel solicitors?

Many thanks,

Slithery

Always a terrible idea to use the developers solicitors.

Alter_ego

You can always change you mind, they may not like it but it is your right.

AdrianC

Just pause and ask yourself why the vendor wants to pay you over a grand to hire their mate to be the only person who is looking at their paperwork with a critical eye...

Your solicitor is the ONLY person on your side in the transaction. The vendor pays everybody else. And you're thinking of letting the vendor choose them, too...

eidand

do a bit of research to see what happens to people who go with the builder's solicitors. They won't have your best interest at heart, they won't highlight any issue. Typically you will find the problem only after you signed. If you're ok with all that, then by all means, go ahead and use their solicitor.

rachel230

No no and no again.
You think that the solicitor is working for you but they are in the pocket of the developers. 
You are signing a complex lease documents and there are many clauses and conditions which will not be explained to you. You need to employ your own independent specialist leasehold solicitor who should go through the lease with a fine tooth comb and explain exactly what you are signing your name to.
Join the National Leasehold Campaign Facebook group and read about the the horror stories on there, many caused by people being talked into using the house builder's  "recommended" solicitors.
They do not have a right to force you to use their solicitors and if they try to, ask yourself why!!
https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org

steampowered

You absolutely can and should pick a different conveyancer.

The developer's conveyancer won't have done any work yet,. so no costs will have been incurred. If you have their contact details get in touch and tell them not to do any work, as you won't be instructing them, to avoid any misunderstanding.

Rony

Oh gosh, seems the answer is pretty unanimous.
I'll call them tomorrow to change my solicitor then. That means I will have to research a good one today (any good recommendations people?). Also they did tell me I couldn't change before, so I will have to prepare a defense for that. 
Also the developer has given a 28 day deadline to exchange (from what I have heard this is fairly common with new-build flats?) so I was kinda erring on the side of using their solicitor as they have experience with the Developer. Now that I will be finding my own, I hope I can complete everything in time for the 28 days!

greatcrested

One more.

NO.

Bu. Niet. Nein. Non. Nada. La. OXl. Le and so on.

Rony

How tight will it be to find a new solicitor and also get my mortgage done by 28 days? I'm starting to feel a little bit nervous now.
Is the 28 days a hard deadline? What happens if I miss it?

davidmcn

Rony said:

Is the 28 days a hard deadline? What happens if I miss it?

Nothing much, it's probably missed more often than abided by. They're not going to flounce off and try starting from scratch with another buyer if you appear to be making reasonable progress.