Solicitor Charging Seller to deal with unrepresented buyer.

septictank

I am buying a house and an experienced family  friend is acting for me.  He has done this many times. The seller's solicitor first of all refused to deal with him (He has sent the appropriate authority from me to act) then told the Estate Agent that she would but only if the seller paid a charge "for the extra work involved in dealing with a lay conveyancer" 
 My friend says  he has never come across this before as the work is less if anything and it is unusual and appears to be taking advantage of the seller. I am a cash, first time buyer.
  My identity has already been verified officially and correctly and proof of source of funds all ready. She only has to receive and accept them. 
The sellers have agreed to pay but I can't help feeling that they are being ripped off.  Has anyone come across this before?  Is it usual?  Hope someone can help.

Slithery

Perfectly normal nowadays. The vendors solicitor is having to carry out the money laundering checks that would usually be the job of your solicitor.

Depending on when your friend last did this it could have been before these checks were a legal requirement.

canaldumidi

septictank said:

I am buying a house and an experienced family  friend is acting for me.  He has done this many times. The buyers seller's? solicitor first of all refused to deal with him (He has sent the appropriate authority from me to act) then told the Estate Agent that she would but only if the seller paid a charge "for the extra work involved in dealing with a lay conveyancer" 
 My friend says  he has never come across this before as the work is less if anything How so? and it is unusual and appears to be taking advantage of the seller. I am a cash, first time buyer so no mortgage to redeem. ?? Makes no sense The sellers have agreed but I can't help feeling that they are being ripped off.  Has anyone come across this before?  Is it usual?  Hope someone can help.

If the seller currently has a mortgage, it will need to be redeemed, and you/your friend will need to get a solicitor's undertaking to that effect from the seller's solicitor. I'm not sure a solicitor can give a solicitor's undertaking to a non-solicitor.

As Slithery says above, there are also money laundering check requirements these days.

In the (distant) past I too have done my own conveyancing, both on sales and purchases, but times have changed.

lr1277

I am guessing but the following may happen:

The seller's solicitor will want you to prove your identity by going to their office with your ID documents.

You will need to prove the source of your funds and if applicable show that none of your funds are loans.

This is extra work for the solicitor and somebody has to pay for it. As you did not engage the solicitor you have no obligation to pay them. So for the extra work they are billing the seller.

Do not be surprised if the seller raises the price to cover the extra solicitor charge. Since the house price will be higher, their EA fees may also be higher which you might be expected to pay.

Like I said, speculation on my part. Take it as you wish.