Remortgage not completed by solicitor

Marky82

Our fixed rate mortgage with HSBC was due to come to an end on 1st July. We found another mortgage with NatWest and were approved for this in March. Natwest appointed Aberdein Considine as the solicitors but we are now 10 days after my requested completion date they have still not completed the transfer. 

I got a letter from HSBC to say I've switched to their standard variable rate (about 3 times that of the one I should be on). The redemption statement was issued by HSBC on 27th June but it's seems the solicitor has just sat on it since then. On the one time I managed to get through to speak to someone they said it was with the completion team. I've also spoken to NatWest who said they would chase it.

They are costing me money by not transfering when agreed.  I'm at a loss what to do. Do I have any comeback?

Many thanks in advance. 

Lollypop18

They were painstakingly slow for me - I found phoning around 1pm the best time to phone - however when they finally did do the completion it was done in less than 48hrs if that helps any  

K_S

Marky82 said:

Our fixed rate mortgage with HSBC was due to come to an end on 1st July. We found another mortgage with NatWest and were approved for this in March. Natwest appointed Aberdein Considine as the solicitors but we are now 10 days after my requested completion date they have still not completed the transfer. 

I got a letter from HSBC to say I've switched to their standard variable rate (about 3 times that of the one I should be on). The redemption statement was issued by HSBC on 27th June but it's seems the solicitor has just sat on it since then. On the one time I managed to get through to speak to someone they said it was with the completion team. I've also spoken to NatWest who said they would chase it.

They are costing me money by not transfering when agreed.  I'm at a loss what to do. Do I have any comeback?

Many thanks in advance. 

@marky82 In my experience, free legals can quite often be absolutely atrocious. For my clients, I always recommend opting for cashback and using your own fixed price solicitor, but unfortunately NatWest doesn't offer that option. I'm having a NatWest remo client go through similar sh*t, albeit with Optima.

Given that you got an offer as far back as March and assuming that the delays aren't down to you, definitely make a formal complaint. That's pretty much the only way to get the out of pocket costs reimbursed due to going on to HSBC SVR vs the NatWest remortgage rate. Good luck, hope it gets sorted soon!

RetSol

@marky82 In my experience, free legals can quite often be absolutely atrocious.

This is my experience too. 

For the time being, I am using free legals now for a remortgage but the completion date is 30th November and I still have an open mind about whether to instruct my own solicitor. 

The mortgagees' conveyancers have already served me up a draft mortgage deed with the wrong address and title number on it. I have sent it back to them with corrections. 

I am a solicitor myself (not a conveyancing specialist) and there is only there is so much incompetence I can stand. 

RetSol

Free legals, my bottom. 

I pay for it in stress. 

And it is worse if, like me, you understand the conveyancing process and can see the corners being cut. 

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has ditched the free legals and paid for it themselves. 

Was it worth it? 

Marky82

Thanks all. I'll make a formal complaint with NatWest. I've never had any problem with free legal for simple remortgage before but will think twice next time! 

amoyguang

Similar experience here. I am remortgaging from Halifax to Natwest with free legal from Aberdein Considine (AC). Got offer in May and halifax fixed rate ending on 31/8/22. Sent loads of emails to Aberdein Considine about completion time after sending customer questionair, without any answer. In afternoon 15/8, suddenly got an email saying there was a secure message from Aberdein Considine. It said the completion date is 16/8 and looking at the payment detail, i found that there was a 3K early payment fee to Halifax. Rushed to the bank to stop the completion and with lots of calls, AC told me the completion is stopped. On 17/8, i had a call with them and we agreed a new completion date of 1/9/2022. However, when i called them today, they told me "no, there is no completion on 1/9/22". The reason is that they said they left a voice message to me on 17/8, and they didn't get back from me whether i agree or not on the completion date on 1/9/22. 

What a joke of free legal??? 

How did your complaint go, Marky82? Thank you. 

PawelK

Reading this, I have additional question,instead of creating a new thread. 

I am due to remortgage from nationwide to virgin who offered me the best rate back in June. My completion is set for 1st November so although still couple of months, my case seems to be moving very slowly. Mortgage deed already sent off. What are the chances that the deal can completely fall through at this point? I'm dealing with Taylor Rose who were appointed by Virgin. 

Many thanks.