What To Do If You Are Not Happy With Your Conveyancing Solicitor
Moving house can be one of the most stressful times of your life - that is a recognised fact.
However, you can make things easier for yourself by making sure you remain 'on the ball' throughout the entire process and ensure that you always know what steps need to be taken and what stage you are at in the conveyancing process.
You should make sure that the lines of communication are kept open between everyone involved in the transaction - your solicitor, estate agent, your mortgage company and the bank.
However, what do you do if you are not happy with the solicitor you have chosen to complete your house move for you? After all, you are relying on them to know what they are doing, to stick to deadlines and to keep you informed at all times.
This article looks at whether there is anything you can do if you find yourself in this position and what you should be looking for in a conveyancing solicitor.
It is a myth that, for any legal matter, you are obliged to use a certain solicitor.
Do not be fooled into thinking you have to use the solicitors that are recommended by, or linked to, your estate agent, for example.
You are free to choose any solicitor you wish for your house move.
If you find that having instructed your solicitor you are now not happy with the service you are receiving from them, there are several options open to you.
You should firstly contact the person responsible for your matter at the firm.
Try and discuss your concerns with them and express what it is that you are not happy with.
For example, you may feel that you are not being kept informed as your transaction progresses or that matters are not being explained clearly enough to you.
If speaking to the person responsible does not help then you could try speaking to the partner in charge of the department or, if you are really unhappy with the service, follow the firm's complaints procedure.
Do remember though that you do not have to stay with the firm of solicitors you have instructed.
If you would feel more comfortable changing to a different firm, do your research (see below), find a solicitor that you think you would be more happy dealing with and instruct them to take over your conveyancing matter.
You will still have to pay the costs you have incurred for the work that your initial solicitor has carried out, but most solicitors would agree to wait until your conveyancing transaction is complete before receiving payment.
When you look to instruct a conveyancing solicitor make sure you choose a firm that specialise in house moves and are experts in their field.
Going on a recommendation is also a good idea.
Make sure the solicitor you choose is experienced and is up front with you about the fees that will be involved.
You will need to have regular contact with your solicitor during the conveyancing process so make sure you feel comfortable chatting with your chosen solicitor and that they have a wide range of contact options available to you (i.
e.
email, telephone, fax etc).
Moving house can be a stressful procedure but it does not have to be.
Help yourself from the outset by doing to your research and, if things do not go as planned, make sure you do receive the service you are entitled to by changing solicitors if necessary and do not feel obliged to remain with a solicitor you are unhappy with.
Copyright (c) 2011 Robert Gray
However, you can make things easier for yourself by making sure you remain 'on the ball' throughout the entire process and ensure that you always know what steps need to be taken and what stage you are at in the conveyancing process.
You should make sure that the lines of communication are kept open between everyone involved in the transaction - your solicitor, estate agent, your mortgage company and the bank.
However, what do you do if you are not happy with the solicitor you have chosen to complete your house move for you? After all, you are relying on them to know what they are doing, to stick to deadlines and to keep you informed at all times.
This article looks at whether there is anything you can do if you find yourself in this position and what you should be looking for in a conveyancing solicitor.
It is a myth that, for any legal matter, you are obliged to use a certain solicitor.
Do not be fooled into thinking you have to use the solicitors that are recommended by, or linked to, your estate agent, for example.
You are free to choose any solicitor you wish for your house move.
If you find that having instructed your solicitor you are now not happy with the service you are receiving from them, there are several options open to you.
You should firstly contact the person responsible for your matter at the firm.
Try and discuss your concerns with them and express what it is that you are not happy with.
For example, you may feel that you are not being kept informed as your transaction progresses or that matters are not being explained clearly enough to you.
If speaking to the person responsible does not help then you could try speaking to the partner in charge of the department or, if you are really unhappy with the service, follow the firm's complaints procedure.
Do remember though that you do not have to stay with the firm of solicitors you have instructed.
If you would feel more comfortable changing to a different firm, do your research (see below), find a solicitor that you think you would be more happy dealing with and instruct them to take over your conveyancing matter.
You will still have to pay the costs you have incurred for the work that your initial solicitor has carried out, but most solicitors would agree to wait until your conveyancing transaction is complete before receiving payment.
When you look to instruct a conveyancing solicitor make sure you choose a firm that specialise in house moves and are experts in their field.
Going on a recommendation is also a good idea.
Make sure the solicitor you choose is experienced and is up front with you about the fees that will be involved.
You will need to have regular contact with your solicitor during the conveyancing process so make sure you feel comfortable chatting with your chosen solicitor and that they have a wide range of contact options available to you (i.
e.
email, telephone, fax etc).
Moving house can be a stressful procedure but it does not have to be.
Help yourself from the outset by doing to your research and, if things do not go as planned, make sure you do receive the service you are entitled to by changing solicitors if necessary and do not feel obliged to remain with a solicitor you are unhappy with.
Copyright (c) 2011 Robert Gray