Conveyancing fees significantly more than quoted

kingstreet

Was the conveyancer made aware of the "extras" when the estimate was requested? Did you inform about leasehold, gift etc? Once the conveyancer was made aware, were you then notified of the additional charges which would apply; or is the draft completion statement the first time you're hearing about them?

aligator136

The quote given was for a leasehold. After pulling out of a freehold (structural issues showed up in the survey) I had an offer accepted on this leasehold. This was their updated quote for the leasehold... The full document is even named as such

Exodi

aligator136 said:

The quote given was for a leasehold. After pulling out of a freehold (structural issues showed up in the survey) I had an offer accepted on this leasehold. This was their updated quote for the leasehold... The full document is even named as such

So they originally quoted for a freehold, which fell through, and then you asked for an up-to-date quote for a leasehold property you were interested in?

Was it clearly communicated that it was leasehold, not just that you wanted an up-to-date quote with costs on a new property?

When you say the full document is named as such, do you mean it is named after the address or it's explicitly named "Leasehold quote"?

I'm trying to ascertain whether it was clearly communicated that the new property is leasehold. If it was, and they just copy pasted their quote, I guess it's worth a complaint along the lines of "why were these lines not included in the original quote?".

I'm in two minds, because I'm surprised you didn't notice and the costs seem reasonable enough - but I can agree if you're genuinely blind-sided by this and relied on their quote, it's frustrating they've missed the leasehold aspect from their quote.

I'm not sure what the remedy would be, considering they've done the work - a small gesture of goodwill? I'm aware conveyancers already run on thin margins, they'll inevitably lose money on the job waiving the leasehold costs.

You're also not in the strongest position, because you presumably want them to complete for you.

MyRealNameToo

It would be easier to put the two together into one table so for each item we can see what the quote was and what the charge was plus any rows that weren't in the quote but you have been billed for. It also doesnt help that you have blanked out one rows description 

Immediately it appears the original quote is for freehold whereas the purchase was leasehold which always creates an increase in costs. Similarly there seems to have been a gift included in the deposit which equally wasnt considered in the quote. 

aligator136

Yes, they were aware it was a leasehold. I have emailed them for a further explanation as their Client care letter also states “Additional fees will be incurred for any work outside the scope of work, including but not limited to the items listed in schedule 1, all of which we would regard as beyond the scope of our initial instructions and subject to additional charges on a fair and reasonable basis and will be explained to you before the commencement of work.” And I had not been made aware of the extra disbursements etc I was accruing at any point, nor were they listed on the 'normal scope of work'.

aligator136

Exodi said:

aligator136 said:

The quote given was for a leasehold. After pulling out of a freehold (structural issues showed up in the survey) I had an offer accepted on this leasehold. This was their updated quote for the leasehold... The full document is even named as such

So they originally quoted for a freehold, which fell through, and then you asked for an up-to-date quote a leasehold property you were interested in?

Was it clearly communicated that it was leasehold, not just that you wanted an up-to-date quote with costs on a new property?

When you say the full document is named as such, do you mean it is named after the address or it's explicitly named "Leasehold quote"?

I'm trying to get ascertain whether it was clearly communicated that the new property is leasehold. If it was, and they just copy pasted their quote, I guess it's worth a complaint along the lines of "why were these lines not included in the original quote?".

I'm in two minds, because I'm surprised you didn't notice and the costs seem reasonable enough - but I can agree if you're genuinely blind-sided by this and relied on their quote, it's frustrating they've missed the leasehold aspect from their quote.

I'm not sure what the remedy would be, considering they've done the work - a small gesture of goodwill? I'm aware conveyancers already run on thin margins, they'll inevitably lose money on the job waiving the leasehold costs.

You're also not in the strongest position, because you presumably want them to complete for you.

As a first-time buyer I wasn't aware of what was 'normal' so I'm not sure how I would have noticed...

aligator136

MyRealNameToo said:

It would be easier to put the two together into one table so for each item we can see what the quote was and what the charge was plus any rows that weren't in the quote but you have been billed for. It also doesnt help that you have blanked out one rows description 

Immediately it appears the original quote is for freehold whereas the purchase was leasehold which always creates an increase in costs. Similarly there seems to have been a gift included in the deposit which equally wasnt considered in the quote. 

The blacked out section is due to confidential information (the solicitors name ) It says: "Law firm name" fee

loubel

If they told you the quote was for leasehold property but they have now added an uplift fee for it being leasehold then it would seem justified to ask them to remove that fee. Everything else looks to be as per the quote.

Isthisforreal99

Playing Devils Advocate why didn't you query the original quote when it incorrectly said freehold?

aligator136

MyRealNameToo said:

It would be easier to put the two together into one table so for each item we can see what the quote was and what the charge was plus any rows that weren't in the quote but you have been billed for. It also doesnt help that you have blanked out one rows description 

Immediately it appears the original quote is for freehold whereas the purchase was leasehold which always creates an increase in costs. Similarly there seems to have been a gift included in the deposit which equally wasnt considered in the quote. 

The 'preparing deed of gift' is in the original quote. I had to fill in new forms and give the new address and confirm it was a leasehold (and other details). The full document itself is called 'Leasehold purchase quote' and has the new address and purchase price listed on the document itself. I had cut that all out to keep anonymity.