Estate agent recommended solicitor

TisMeBill

We have just started the process of selling a rental property, the two estate agents we have had value the house have both suggested if we sell through them, we use a solicitor they recommend. I wondered what people’s views/experiences are on using an estate agent recommended solicitor or finding one independently.

MikeJXE

Stay in control and use your own solicitor 

diego_94

Dont do it. Use your own solicitor. They are only pushing their solicitor as the estate agent will get a commission for clients using them. All they stuff they say about it being quicker ETC is a load of rubbish and not true. 

Drawingaline

Depends on the solicitors. Each time we have used the recommendation. First time it was a small independent solicitors who were amazing, we also used them to extend the lease to our flat a few years later and used them to sell as well.

Next time was awful, huge conveyancing warehouse type operation. Communication was awful, lost documents etc.

Last time was a large local office who were good. I did my own research into them after they contacted us with the quote and they were well regarded. 

So ask for the quite and then do your own research into them. 

And then look up local offices for reviews too.

Robbo66

diego_94 said:

Dont do it. Use your own solicitor. They are only pushing their solicitor as the estate agent will get a commission for clients using them. All they stuff they say about it being quicker ETC is a load of rubbish and not true. 

its not always about the referral fee, sales can take months to complete and the agent only gets paid on completion so they will recommend a solicitor they have a good working relationship with as well. As Drawingaline says do your own rearch as well and get other quotes so as to make an informed choice.

TheMilkmansDad

Ask who the solicitor is and do your own research on them. If the research is positive then go with them, if not, kindly decline and advise you'll use your own.

diego_94

Robbo66 said:

diego_94 said:

Dont do it. Use your own solicitor. They are only pushing their solicitor as the estate agent will get a commission for clients using them. All they stuff they say about it being quicker ETC is a load of rubbish and not true. 

its not always about the referral fee, sales can take months to complete and the agent only gets paid on completion so they will recommend a solicitor they have a good working relationship with as well. As Drawingaline says do your own rearch as well and get other quotes so as to make an informed choice.

Load of rubbish, its all about the money with Estate Agents and they lie through their teeth

chanz4

they want it as make around £300 commission from you

Postik

Logically, I think using an estate agent recommended solicitor when buying a property would be a bad idea, because potentially the solicitor will get lots of business from the estate agent and not want to upset them should there be any "issues" with the property you're buying.

I see less of an issue when selling a property because "caveat emperor" applies to your buyer.

When my estate agent recommended a solicitor, the solicitor made it clear they were paying the estate agent a commission.  They also charged the same fee whether you went to them via recommendation or direct.

If the solicitor is genuinely good and you have no idea who else to use then I can't see the harm.  If you have your own solicitor that you prefer to use, then do that.

hazyjo

Robbo66 said:

diego_94 said:

Dont do it. Use your own solicitor. They are only pushing their solicitor as the estate agent will get a commission for clients using them. All they stuff they say about it being quicker ETC is a load of rubbish and not true. 

its not always about the referral fee, sales can take months to complete and the agent only gets paid on completion so they will recommend a solicitor they have a good working relationship with as well. As Drawingaline says do your own rearch as well and get other quotes so as to make an informed choice.

That's part of the problem though. They're not going to want to jeopardise that relationship, so may ignore non-essential issues or play them down. I would find my own local one, and then perhaps ask if they have dealt with them and see if there's a name they recommend.

Postik

hazyjo said:

That's part of the problem though. They're not going to want to jeopardise that relationship, so may ignore non-essential issues or play them down. I would find my own local one, and then perhaps ask if they have dealt with them and see if there's a name they recommend.

For buying yes, but I see far less risk when selling.