Conveyancing

BellaTrix99

I'm buying a leasehold flat, first time buying property.  The estate agent has connected me to a conveyancing firm, and the vendor is also using this firm.
Does anyone have any strong feelings whether I should go with this (the quote seems reasonable), or would it be better to use a different firm - and why?

DE_612183

you can - and it may speed things up.

the only issue is where there is a conflict of interest, or the solicitor is more likely to listen to who ever shouts the loudest if there is a dispute.

user1977

Terrible idea to use the same firm as the seller - they can’t give best advice to both of you, and if they’re relying on the EA for business, hardly likely to advise you not to proceed (where that’s what they ought to do).

Myci85

I wouldn't use them, and most people on here advise against using conveyancers attached to the estate agent, even where they're not the same ones being used by the vendor. 

david29dpo

Has the agent told you how much they are getting from the kick back? No, thought not. 
As above, dont, use a local one

Bigphil1474

Solicitors are bound by quite strict rules, so if there is a potential conflict of interest they can still work for both parties, but obviously 2 different people dealing with the cases and a Chinese wall approach. The main reason for not using EA recommended conveyancers is usually that you can get a better service at a better price from a local company instead. If you are happy with the price, then there can be some upsides. I would still get quotes from elsewhere though.

user1977

Bigphil1474 said:

Solicitors are bound by quite strict rules, so if there is a potential conflict of interest they can still work for both parties, but obviously 2 different people dealing with the cases and a Chinese wall approach.

A "quite strict" approach would be to prohibit this from happening at all (as is the case in Scotland, bar some narrow exceptions).

I don't think it's reasonable to expect the average punter to understand the risks involved. Or to expect your solicitor, Ms Jones from Bloggs & Co, to tell you that the vendor's solicitor, Mr Smith of Bloggs & Co, is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

And obviously if Bloggs & Co rely on the agents for much of their business, they'll be tempted to sweep any problems under the carpet and speed along the transaction.

Albermarle

Myci85 said:

I wouldn't use them, and most people on here advise against using conveyancers attached to the estate agent, even where they're not the same ones being used by the vendor. 

If conveyancers that are recommended by an EA are actually a firm of reasonably local solicitors ( and not some remote online conveyancing factory), then no harm to get a quote, along with others.
However as others have said I would not want my solicitors to also be the Vendors solicitor.