Completed on New Flat now solicitor is requesting funds

Gaz2k21

Hello all, I’ve recently completed on a new flat and sold my previous leasehold, the solicitor sent me the invoice on the 29th Oct and completion finalised on the 30th, just recently my solicitor e-mailed me stating that they had forgotten to collect monies for an LP1 service pack and for service charges on my previous property this was around £714
i responded to this and stated that I could not see any mention of these charges on any paperwork I had recieved throughout the process more had I been made aware of them,
I spoke to someone from the council who advised me that if they did not make me aware of the charges then it is the responsibility of the solicitor to cover the cost, the solicitor has now dropped the LP1 service charge but is still requesting the service charge fees of around £550.
hes already gotten threatening towards me, I haven’t outright refused to pay all I have done is requested proof that it is my responsibility to cover these costs as at the moment I only had the word of the solicitor(who let’s face it is already acting shifty).

Gaz2k21

If anyone can offer any advice it would be appreciated 

silvercar

Do the service charges relate to a time when you owned the flat? 

Gaz2k21

I have no idea all he has said is that the charge is for service charges when requesting some sort of proof he sent an amended copy of the completion invoice ….which let’s face it…is a word document 

housebuyer143

If the service charge is from when you owned the flat then you need to pay it. 

Hoenir

Gaz2k21 said:

 I only had the word of the solicitor(who let’s face it is already acting shifty).

Was an oversight on their part. Who else is going to these charges? There's one certainty though. The solicitor knows the law and will use it effectively to collect any outstandng monies. 

Myci85

Is it a service charge retention fee in case of any unexpected extra service charges for your period of ownership above the estimated amount you would have already paid?

Gaz2k21

I think the point is being missed, I’m saying that this man despite multiple requests has been unable to produce any sort of record or proof that this charge even exists 

Gaz2k21

Myci85 said:

Is it a service charge retention fee in case of any unexpected extra service charges for your period of ownership above the estimated amount you would have already paid?

The wording used was simply “service charge” I don’t know anymore than that and my request for further information was met with an amended invoice and the threat to pass this on to litigation

Gaz2k21

Just as an FYI this is not the solicitor that dealt with my case, that solicitor left this solicitor took over just prior to completion

Myci85

If it's a retention amount, then the charge effectively doesn't exist yet, so I'm not sure how he'd prove it. But with leasehold properties it is quite standard for them to hold an amount to cover potential any service charge shortfall. If there is no shortfall when the yearly accounts are finalised, you'd get it back.