Using newbuild developer's solicitor

AdrianC

Rony said:

AdrianC said:

Rony said:

Can't believe the one that dealt with me lied to my face...

Just remind me, this was a sales person trying to upsell you something on top of a very expensive purchase...? An upsell that will almost certainly bring increased commission, as well as make the main sale go more smoothly...?

But there is a difference between outright lying and twisting the truth. I understand perfectly that sales people are driven by commission so they will twist a lot of things in their favour. However when I ask a direct question as a customer, I would not expect them to actually answer with an incorrect answer. 

Bet you don't have it in writing...

diego_94

Tony just be careful as others have said, in particular snagging and details in the lease of charges.  Come
here for advice, you have done the right thing so far by asking and taking it on board. Don’t believe anything the sales people tell you.

eidand

Rony said:

Ok thanks guys. So I called up today and the person I worked with wasn't there today and spoke to another person and she mentioned that it should be fine that I change solicitors. Can't believe the one that dealt with me lied to my face saying I couldn't change solicitors.

@princeofpounds The thing is I normally do stand my ground pretty well, however in this case I am just so out of my depth, I didn't have time to do research on new builds as the viewing came round so unexpectedly and bought on the day. I therefore had to think on my feet when they posed the question "We would recommend our solicitors...". I posited that it could be a good thing in that they have a lot of experience with the developer, but I did also question independence. In that moment I didn't know whether the lack of independence of the solicitor would outweigh the £1.2k in that as professional lawyers, surely they have a duty bound by their own codes. But I guess that's not what happens in reality.

Anyways, I researched some conveyance companies over the weekend and I am going to call in for quotes today! Excited

Thanks!

I would suggest you make that time asap. You need to know what you're walking into, otherwise you will more than likely make a very expensive mistake. There's plenty of information online

Scotbot

Don't  use a cheap conveyancer use a conveyancing solicitor. They may charge a bit more but it is worth it as a mistake could cost you thousands to rectify

jon81uk

We have gone with the solicitor recommended by the builder to get the £1000 towards the legal fees. But every review site I've checked had outstanding reviews of the firm, even on Google Maps they are rated 4.9/5 so I cannot see any reason to find a different solicitor given I don't know of any others. So far I've got no complaints with the service but we are only a week after reservation.

bucksbloke

If you don't use the developers panel solicitor, make sure you do use a firm that are used to dealing with new builds. In the firm we used, there is a different team for New Builds to older houses and they just really understand what they are doing. 

GixerKate

bucksbloke said:

If you don't use the developers panel solicitor, make sure you do use a firm that are used to dealing with new builds. In the firm we used, there is a different team for New Builds to older houses and they just really understand what they are doing. 

Agree with this, we have not gone with the solicitors through the developer but we have a solicitor with a dept that specialises in new builds as there are different hoops to go through.

Rony

Oh! I didn't even realise to do that. A firm specialising in newbuilds. Thanks, I have now done some research and shortlisted a few to call up tomorrow.

Thanks so much!