Changing solicitors during house purchase
Can I change conveyancing solicitors during house purchase
Absolutely! You are entitled to switch companies for whatever reason not only in specific circumstances.
Buying or selling a property is stressful enough on its own, but having to switch solicitors during the conveyancing process may make it even more so. The procedure can be swift and straightforward at times, but not always.
If you’re in the process of buying a property, you may be wondering if it’s possible to change solicitors. The answer is yes, but there are a few things to bear in mind.
What are the main reasons for changing solicitors
There can be many reasons why someone might want to change solicitors. Perhaps they’re not happy with the level of service they’re receiving, or they feel like their case isn’t being given the attention it deserves. Maybe they’ve simply found a solicitor who they feel is more qualified to handle their case.
Whatever the reason, changing solicitors is a relatively simple process and shouldn’t cause too much disruption. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re comfortable with your new solicitor and that they’re able to provide the level of service you expect.
If you’re thinking of changing solicitors, here are some of the main reasons why people do so:
They’re not happy with the level of service they’re receiving
One of the most common reasons for changing solicitors is that people are simply not happy with the level of service they’re receiving. This can include things like feeling like your case isn’t being given the attention it deserves, or you’re not getting timely updates on its progress.
If you’re not happy with the level of service you’re receiving from your solicitor, it’s important to raise your concerns with them directly. If they’re unable to address your concerns satisfactorily, then changing solicitors may be the best option for you.
Having difficulty getting in touch with their solicitor
Due to the overwhelming volume of work, many firms do not communicate with their customers, causing those to believe there is a misunderstanding and to seek a new conveyancing solicitor.
Feeling like they are not being kept up to date with progress
Many conveyancing solicitors do not have an app or a website platform where clients can track the status of their cases, which can create significant stress and frustration for customers.
Being unhappy with the fees being charged
Many people are unhappy with the fees that they are charged by their conveyancing solicitors as these will have hidden fees that they never mentioned at the beginning of the process.
They’ve found a solicitor who they feel is more qualified to handle their case
Sometimes people feel like their current solicitor isn’t the best person to handle their house purchase case. This can be due to a number of factors, such as the solicitor not having enough experience in that particular area where you want to buy a house.
What is the first step to take when deciding to change conveyancing solicitors
For starters, you’ll need to find a new conveyancing solicitor who is happy to take on your case. This can be done by asking for recommendations from friends or family, or by searching online.
Once you’ve found a suitable conveyancer, you’ll need to let your current conveyancing solicitor know that you’re planning to switch. They should then send over your file of documents to the new conveyancer.
This one will need to review these documents and may need to ask you for additional information. This can cause a delay in the process, so it’s important to factor this in when you’re considering changing solicitors.
If you’re still within the cooling-off period of your purchase, you can simply cancel your contract with your current solicitor and instruct a new one. However, if you’re outside of the cooling-off period, things may be more complicated – so it’s always best to speak to your conveyancer before making any decisions.
In some cases, it may be possible to transfer your contract to the new solicitor. However, this will need to be agreed by the previous solicitor and the new solicitor and may not always be possible.
If you’re thinking of changing solicitors during your house purchase, it’s important to get further professional advice. This will help to ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Is it a simple process to get my documents and paperwork transferred to another solicitor
Getting your conveyancing documents and paperwork transferred to another solicitor is relatively easy.
If your title is unregistered with the land registry and the original company has the deeds, they must give them to the new solicitor. This may impose an additional expense, which you should discuss with the first solicitor in possession of the deeds.
They will then be able to take over the conveyancing process on your behalf. However, it is worth noting that there may be some costs involved in transferring your case to another solicitor.
Therefore, it is always advisable to check with both solicitors before making any decisions.
What happens if a solicitor is holding money on my behalf?
If a solicitor is holding money on your behalf, they are required to keep it in a separate bank account known as a client account. This account is used to protect your money and ensure that it is not used for other purposes.
If you have any queries about the money that is being held on your behalf, you should contact your solicitor directly. They will be able to provide you with more information and answer any questions that you may have.
It is important to remember that your solicitor is acting in your best interests and they will not release any money without your permission.
You can be confident that your money is safe and secure when it is being held by a solicitor.
Will I get any financial penalties if I decided to change to a new conveyancing solicitor?
If you are in the process of buying or selling a property, you may be wondering if there are any financial penalties for changing conveyancing solicitors.
The answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances. For example, if you have already paid a deposit to your current solicitor, you may be required to pay this again if you switch to a new one.
You should also be aware that there may be additional costs associated with changing solicitors, such as re-drawing up contracts.
However, these costs are typically minimal and should not deter you from changing conveyancers if you are unhappy with the service you are receiving.
In most cases, the financial penalties for changing conveyancing solicitors are relatively minor and can easily be outweighed by the benefits of switching to a new solicitor who can provide a better standard of service.
Can I claim compensation if a law firm is closed down?
Even if a business holds money for a customer after it closes, the money should be safe and easily recoverable by the client.
Transferring money from a firm that has closed down can sometimes be a lengthy process, as the agent firm dealing with the closed firm will have to be able to access the closed firm’s accounts before they can verify who the money belongs to.
If this is not the case and money has gone missing, the solicitors regulation authority SRA gives information on how to file a claim against a company that has stopped operations.
So in short, yes you can for compensation as long as they hold money off you.
