Solicitor Problems Advice Please

masonsmum

We have sold our house and purchased a new one and the move is scheduled for 3 weeks time.

However I have been having a few problems with my solicitor, the Halifax recommended the solicitors we are using through what they call "Halifax Conveyancing" however they are useless.

The original solicitor I was dealing with has gone on holiday for a long break and the one I am left with is a nightmare!

I am lucky if I have had 2 or 3 letters from them, I had to chase them to chase up a confirmation of the survey from the solicitors of the people who are buying our house. Should that not be there job!! After complaining twice now that I want to know what is happening I still have had no correspondence from them.

I got a quote of £1,300 from them to deal with the sale and purchase of a new property, do you think I have grounds to complain and try for a reduction in the fee or is the fee set in stone do you think?

Doozergirl

You often don't hear a lot from some solicitors. In fact, you only really hear if there are problems, otherwise they just plod onwards. If you hear of an issue you can call them.

The survey issue was for your EA to deal with, not the solicitor.

If they keep calling you or writing, it's time not spent doing something else. It's fine to call them for updates though

Fees aren't exactly set in stone - it would be a goodwill gesture on their part if they gave you a discount though. I'm not entirely sure what it is that you have to complain about though from your post - just that they haven't done part of the EA's job for them and probably haven't held your hand as much as you would like.

masonsmum

I just love the fact that as a Newbie I can come on here and ask a question with things I am not sure of and be assured of a some advice from people who know what they are talking about and they will not judge you in anyway at all.

Doozergirl - you sound like such an understanding person and thanks for your help.

chappers

Doozergirl is right you don't usually hear much from your solicitor unless there is a problem , especially with these panel solicitors.
Doesn't however necessarily mean that they are doing their jobs properly, these panel solicitors do have a habit, if there are problems of only springing them at the last minute.
I would give them a ring to find out what stage they are at just to put your mind at rest.
thes sorts of solicitors are handling hundreds if not thousands of conveyances at atime and as DG says you are just a number in the system in future if you want/need a bit more hand holding through the process(and we all did once) then I would suggest using a smaller local high street solicitor.

Richard_Webster

I think you will find that Halifax take a cut for introducing you to the solcitor - was that necessary?

However as far as:

I had to chase them to chase up a confirmation of the survey from the solicitors of the people who are buying our house. Should that not be there job!!

is concerned, as Doozergirl says it is more the agent's job. The buyer's solicitors would not know about when a survey was done (why should anyone tell them?) so wouldn't be able to tell the seller's solicitors without asking somebody else.

Jorgan_2

From memory, masonsmum is in Scotland, so the contact with the solicitor maybe different.

Richard_Webster

From memory, masonsmum is in Scotland, so the contact with the solicitor maybe different.

This is the problem of having one board for all the jurisdictions - I did suggest splitting the boards to avoid this kind of thing - otherwise we have to keep checking whether the property is in England or Scotland or Northern Ireland or Isle of Man or Jersey...

masonsmum

I am based in Scotland and after speaking to the solictors company yesterday I was advised I should have had more correspondence. Apparently I should have received a copy of the offer on my place to read over and let them know whether I accept, and that offer was placed 4 weeks ago.

When I bought the property we are in at the moment I can remember having loads of paperwork, but perhaps I would have been better finding a solicitor myself rather than using the banks recommendation.