NHBC Certificate

pink_muppet

We are in the process of moving and have sold our 4 year old house, my husband took what we thought was our NHBC certificate into the solicitors on Monday morning, then this evening, my solicitors snotty secretary has emailed me (on hotmail might I add) to say that this document we took in was not the insurance certificate, but the buildmark warranty and they have spoken to their colleague at another office (who we used to purchase our current house 4 years ago) who states she sent it to us on 11th March 2004 and to check through all our documents to look for it.

Well I have all related correspondence from our purchase in 2004 and can't see it at all as we presumed the Buildmark warranty was the certificate, I have all my solicitors letters from then and the last one we received was on 20th Feb 2004 when we completed.

The secretary has said they can probably get a copy from the NHBC but there will be a fee payable and most certainly a delay

My questions are:

Does anyone know how much the fee is to get a copy?
We are aiming to complete on March 14th (8 weeks tomorrow) will we still be able to do this by then?, how long will this delay be?

I am angry that they have emailed me about something so important when they have 3 phone numbers for us and could have rung me

I am also angry that it has taken them 4 days to let us know this document was missing

I also think that as we never received this certificate in the first place, if they didn't send it by registered mail at the time, they should foot the bill for replacement as it obviously got lost in the post?

worrypants

first of all ditch the solicitor you are employing them remember you dont have to put up with shoddy service

your NHBC cert is most likely with your deeds the 2 are usually kep together

failing that contact NHBC direct via their website
they are excellent the cert will be with you in just a day or 2 and i dont think they even charge

good luck

Doozergirl

Phone NHBC directly. At least that way you don't get charged by the solicitor too. You don't really need the cert as long as NHBC is covering you - which it does for the original and subsequent owners for 10 years.

Ask them what you do. When we couldn't find a cert I think they wanted £15.

pink_muppet

Thanks guys, we have phoned the NHBC this morning who were really nice, we do have to pay £41.13 for a new one so have sent a cheque off this morning and will have it in 10days which is fine

The interesting thing is they told us they sent the certificate to our solicitor on 20th March 2004, so how come this same solicitor has told our current one that it she sent to us on 11th March 2004?

Anyhow, hubby is phoning them this am to give them a good bol***ing esp about emailing me something so important and we'll take it from there

as for it being with our deeds, well they seem to have vanished into the ether as well but thats another story!

Richard_Webster

esp about emailing me something so important

What's wrong with this? Did OP tell the solicitors he/she didn't want e-mail used? OP must have given e-mail details to solicitors, so why give them if the Hotmail is not often looked at? I hardly ever receive calls on my mobile, and often don't have it turned on, so I wouldn't give people the number because it would be quite likely they wouldn't get through.

I think OP has got overstressed about this e-mail issue.

Given all the other things that happen in a conveyancing transaction it is really unlikely that a 4 day delay is going to make a lot of difference. Yes, the certificate would be needed, but 4 days is unlikely to make a big difference in the great scheme of things.

Phone calls take time. It's fine if we get through, or there is an answerphone, but if we don't then someone has to remember to keep repeating the calls until they get through. E-mail is more efficient because (a) it's done quickly and (b) there's a record of what is said.

clutton_2

yes, i think a good herbal tea is called for here - camomile ......

pink_muppet

Richard_Webster wrote: »

What's wrong with this? Did OP tell the solicitors he/she didn't want e-mail used? OP must have given e-mail details to solicitors, so why give them if the Hotmail is not often looked at? I hardly ever receive calls on my mobile, and often don't have it turned on, so I wouldn't give people the number because it would be quite likely they wouldn't get through.

I didn't give details about my email address as a method of discussing conveyancing matters with me, my solicitor had phoned me previously to ask for my HIP documents which I only have online, so I sent these by email, in fact this email that was sent regarding the NHBC issue under the title 'water search and drainage documents'

my mobile is permanently switched on and all my calls are picked up within an hour of being made if I am busy, this is my work phone and my only contact for my work colleagues and customers, which my solicitor is aware of

I think OP has got overstressed about this e-mail issue.

yes I am stressed! I agree!

Given all the other things that happen in a conveyancing transaction it is really unlikely that a 4 day delay is going to make a lot of difference. Yes, the certificate would be needed, but 4 days is unlikely to make a big difference in the great scheme of things.

I totally agree 4 days is no significant delay, but to then tell me there is now inevitably going to be a delay to obtain an NHBC certificate when we still have 8 weeks til completion is a bit hypocritical

Phone calls take time. It's fine if we get through, or there is an answerphone, but if we don't then someone has to remember to keep repeating the calls until they get through. E-mail is more efficient because (a) it's done quickly and (b) there's a record of what is said.

phone calls do not take time to my mobile, it is answered either by myself if I am not busy or my answerphone within 6 rings, to which it is picked up within the hour, I cannot always access my emails everyday and this was only used to send HIP documents, not as a method of communication which was expressed on initial instruction

Richard_Webster

Just make a point of telling your solicitors to use your mobile and NOT your e-mail. Point dealt with.

towl

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Just make a point of telling your solicitors to use your mobile and NOT your e-mail. Point dealt with.

Got to agree, I actyally told my solicitor that e-mail is the best way of contacting me and gave them my work e-mail address.

I am in the process of buying a place at the minute, and I sold my last place back in July, for both deals, I used e-mail as the main method of contact, as it gives me written documentation of everything we discuss. If something urgent needs discussing we speak on the phone, and then I get him to e-mail confirmation of what we talked about and agreed.

A simple conversation with your solicitor would clear this up.

pink_muppet

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Just make a point of telling your solicitors to use your mobile and NOT your e-mail. Point dealt with.

this is my point exactly! I did this and they STILL emailed me!!!