Keeping all parties in the loop during conveyancing

eddddy

annetheman said:

My seller’s EA has been copying me in to emails to my solicitor ....

That sounds very strange...  Why is the seller's agent sending emails to the buyer's solicitor?

As a buyer, I would tell the seller's agent to stop doing that - but I'm pretty sure that the solicitors I use would ignore those emails anyway.



Out of interest, is this a solicitor "recommended" by the seller's agent?

Those types of solicitors often have "cosy arrangements" with estate agents, which includes requiring buyers and sellers to consent to the solicitors sharing information with estate agents.

To me, that's  coming dangerously close to a conflict of interests.

Hoenir

Your solicitor is also working for the mortgage lender. They are also a client. Just happens you are paying their legal costs. 

housebuyer143

annetheman said:

housebuyer143 said:

annetheman said:

I’m hoping to follow this for more anecdotes. My seller’s EA has been copying me in to emails to my solicitor but NOT copying in their vendor and their solicitor, which I don’t mind but I’m sure they’re in another thread and if that’s easy enough for them to keep up, I’m not too bothered. 

When I finally get my buyer, I’m not going to copy in my onward chain. But would appreciate keeping both buyer and their solicitor in cc. Added complication of shared ownership but won’t bother cc’ing the Housing Association. 

I guess I can see the benefits and drawbacks depending on your position. What is your preference? 

They can't copy in the seller on emails to your solicitor as it's a beach of GDPR if it contains your information. 
My solicitor copied me in on emails she sent to the buyers solicitors but you will never have the sellers solicitor copy you in - you are not their client. 

Considered but they have sent me their PI in other ways already eg the memorandum of sale that has the seller and solicitors full names and emails. I just thought there are things they’d rather not discuss with both parties (eg my seller saying “why are they taking so long?!” Because they want to complete in 2 months from offer!)

There are some things you can't get around and would be expected that information is shared but information your seller is telling their solicitors isn't expected. If I found out my solicitor was forwarding my emails to the buyers I would be furious and disinstruct them. If the seller wants to stall it isn't great, but it's their prerogative to tell their solicitors that and for it to stay confidential.

When replying to enquiries, I would say to my solicitor "I'm not paying for a boiler service unless they kick up a fuss". My negotiating power is lost if that is sent to the other side, wouldn't you say?

annetheman

eddddy said:

annetheman said:

My seller’s EA has been copying me in to emails to my solicitor ....

That sounds very strange...  Why is the seller's agent sending emails to the buyer's solicitor?

As a buyer, I would tell the seller's agent to stop doing that - but I'm pretty sure that the solicitors I use would ignore those emails anyway.



Out of interest, is this a solicitor "recommended" by the seller's agent?

Those types of solicitors often have "cosy arrangements" with estate agents, which includes requiring buyers and sellers to consent to the solicitors sharing information with estate agents.

To me, that's  coming dangerously close to a conflict of interests.

Yes the seller's EA emailed my solicitor the memorandum of sale with the vendor's names, emails, home addresses, etc and their solicitor's email, phone number, name etc. So far, that's it. All other correspondence is me and the solicitor direct, or me and the EA occasionally - also direct (about arranging another viewing, for example).

I also find the recommendation of solicitors a bit dodgy sometimes. My solicitor is the same one who bought my current flat I'm selling (great, as they have all my docs on file only bought 3 years ago), so they're chosen, tried, and tested by me. Just by coincidence their office is in the same area as the EA and where I'm buying in East London.

Personally, I would love to be kept in copy for everything (I won't jump in, even when I'm tempted to), but I haven't asked to be cc'd in the seller's emails as that seemed a bit OTT. Still, wouldn't mind!

silvercar

Much easier if you exchange numbers/ emails with the other side. You can sort exchange and completion dates with the other side much easier. Also, you can find solutions to problems yourselves that can speed things up. 

eddddy

annetheman said:

Yes the seller's EA emailed my solicitor the memorandum of sale with the vendor's names, emails, home addresses, etc and their solicitor's email, phone number, name etc. So far, that's it. 

The seller's agent sending a memo of sale to the buyer's solicitor is probably OK, but they shouldn't make any other contact.

But tbh, as a buyer, I would prefer the memo of sale to be sent just to me, so I can check it's correct before I forward it to my solicitor.