Conveyancer problems with re-mortgage

ndbruton

Hello all,

I'm currently in the process of remortgaging to C&G and the mortgage came with free legals. Pretty much since day 1 I have had major issues with a very unprofessional and incompetent conveyancing firm appointed by C&G meaning that amongst other things the mortgage has still not completed after 3 months despite my application being successful.

I've sent complaint letters to C&G and the conveyancers involved but would like to know what other options are available to me further down the line if needs be. Obviously I could complain to the ombudsman regarding C&G but strictly speaking it is their conveyancers causing the problems, so could I also complain to an ombudsman about them? I've also seen something about the Legal Complaints Service but again I am unsure if I could make a direct complaint as they are acting for C&G and not me?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer me.

Dan_Collins_2

They are being paid by the lender and I doubt you will get anything out of them as they will tell you they are acting for the lender, well thats the one I got. We got some interest out of them but not even a sorry, which would have been worth more!

It would not be Hammonds direct would it??

ndbruton

Thanks for the reply.

That's what I feared, but it is so frustrating that a so-called professional outfit have acted in totally the opposite way. It even seems that common courtesy escapes these people.

Oh and it's McKeags law firm located in Newcastle. The saving grace is that I have no redemption penalties whatsoever with the C&G mortgage I am hoping to move to so unless I can resolve this I will hop ship as soon as a better rate comes along.

UK007BullDog

What was the issue with them? Why are they holding it up?

Was the C&G offer also with free product fee? If you leave they might still charge that to you.

UK007BullDog

I am confused. You are with C&G and remortgaging with them or are you moving from another lender to C&G? Only with the latter you need a solicitor.

ZCC72

Have the solicitors advised what the delay is? With a straight-forward remortgage, it should take 2-4 weeks from start to finish, including getting any required searches. You may run into difficulties if there are issues (for example, flying freehold) - but still, 3 months is excessive! I am a conveyancer, and may be able to shed a bit of light on it.....but please note that it will not constitute legal advice!

ccygirl

I recently remortgaged with C&G and Mckeags were the sols acting for them. My experience with them was excellent. My remortgage took about 8 weeks and they completed the day after my tie in expired.

Once everything went through they sent me a questionaire, you will be able to vent your frustrations on that if they send you one.

ndbruton

I am currently with Bristol & West, looking to move to C&G. There are no fees at all except a £99 arrangement fee.

The main issue I have with them is that they are not advising me at all! Phone calls, faxes, letters and e-mails have all gone unanswered and this is when I have been trying to provide them with information they have requested, or check that the right details have been sent to them. I'm paying a portion of the mortgage off as well and was due to complete the end of Jan, but then they advised me I needed to send them more documentation for fraud checks on this additional money I'm handing over (again no communication from them has meant that I had no prior knowledge of having to send additional documents). When I've sent these documents they have not come back to me and then when I've chased them up they have advised me that the
fraud check rules actually changed at the end of Jan in and requested yet more info from me!

All I really wanted was the courtesy of a response to one or two matters and for them to be clear with me about what info I had to provide. I don't think that is asking too much from them, and if they had we could have completed well over a month ago. It's not like I've sat back and haven't tried to find out what's going on, I've tried to be proactive because I obviously want to get off B&W's SVR and on to the C&G rate, saving me £150 a month!

ccygirl - when did you submit your application to C&G?

NeilQuinn

I've just had similar problems with the law firm acting for one of my clients on a Nationwide deal. The solicitors weren't returning my clients' phone calls or emails (or mine). I emailed the firm & informed them I had complained to Nationwide about the poor service. They phoned me back in half an hour & completed my clients' remortgage two days later. The case had taken two months & it was a really simple straightforward job. Could have completed in one month.

ZCC72

It may help you to bring this to the attention of the Partner who is responsible for complaints within the Firm - the complaints process should have been set out within the inital Client Care letter. They have a responsibility to investigate the complaint, and to report back to you with the findings, and hopefully resolve the matter to everyones satisfaction.
(Please note that this does not constitute legal advice)

ndbruton

Thanks for all responses so far. Just as a matter of interest, does anybody know if the fraud check rules have changed recently or is this just an excuse I have been offered?