Estate agent refusing to give information on a leashold.

davidmcn

NameUnavailable said:

Falafels said:

NameUnavailable said:

I think a solution might be to provide your own details when they ask for the solicitors info for a memorandum of sale. Then ask the vendors solicitor for the information (before then instructing a solicitor and paying for searches/surveys etc). 

The vendor's solicitor is not allowed to be in direct contact with the buyer, and they will refuse to hand over the information. 

What if you want to do your own conveyancing?

Quite - what's not allowed is directly contacting another solicitor's client.

saajan_12

NameUnavailable said:

I think a solution might be to provide your own details when they ask for the solicitors info for a memorandum of sale. Then ask the vendors solicitor for the information (before then instructing a solicitor and paying for searches/surveys etc).

I honestly don't know how any agent can value a leasehold property without knowing the lease length, ground rent and maintenance charges as a minimum (then there are leases which prohibit sub letting which is pretty important for any BTL buyers!).

Yes, but this is after making an offer and the seller accepting it. The OP doesn't seem to want to make an offer and the seller may not accept due to the self conveyancing. 
Note the seller's conveyancer CAN contact the buyer directly if they are self conveyancing, but they may not want to or charge more for it. Self conveyancing is more likely to make the process slower if the buyer is still learning, plus solicitors undertakings don't work etc. 

greatcrested

NameUnavailable said:

Falafels said:

NameUnavailable said:

I think a solution might be to provide your own details when they ask for the solicitors info for a memorandum of sale. Then ask the vendors solicitor for the information (before then instructing a solicitor and paying for searches/surveys etc). 

The vendor's solicitor is not allowed to be in direct contact with the buyer, and they will refuse to hand over the information. 

What if you want to do your own conveyancing?

Then the vendor's solicitor would be contacting you in your capaciy as conveyancer, not in your capacity as buyer.

steampowered

Mickey666 said:

While I agree that EAs are not conveyancers or lawyers it's also not a legal requirement for buyers to use a conveyancer or lawyer (though I would always advise it!), so where should a potential self-conveyancing buyer obtain such information?

The law in England and Wales is "buyer beware".

It would need a change in the law to require seller responsibility. This was attempted with things like home information packs but didn't work very well.

If the buyer decides not to engage a professional to do the appropriate due diligence, the buyer can't complain if it all goes wrong! Just like when you buy a car via a private sale (rather than from a dealer).