I'm currently buying my first property and it's all falling through ðŸ˜.
Apparently the estate agents (PURPLE BRICKS!!! 😤) gave the wrong solicitors details to the buyers' solicitor (even though I entered it right on their website) as they were trying to peddle their commissioned solicitor, and this meant the draft contracts went to the wrong solicitor and sat on their desk for weeks unattended. When I FINALLY get the documents it turned out that not only was a load of stuff missing that my solicitors didn't notice, but the sellers needed to complete by 7 days time, and (worst of all) it was one of those properties with doubling ground rent every 10 years from Taylor Wimpey, meaning £150 ground rent will be £4800 in 50 years, which I only noticed because my dad pointed it out, the solicitors said nothing and just said sign on the dotted line. Sorry but am I wrong in thinking this is what I'm paying THEM to spot?
Well obviously I don't want to get stuck in this lease, absolutely crazy!!! Luckily I haven't exchanged yet, so no obligation to buy, but desperately wanted that flat so feel heart broken. I talked to the solicitor who was surprised and laughed when I said the sellers wanted to complete in a week (it was ridiculous this surprised her considering she should have read this in the documents, but also we've only had the contract for days so I don't know how they can expect to push us to manage a week?) The solicitor has said she has no idea on the ground rent and has simply said she's passed it on to the senior partner but they've been too busy to look as of yet.
Question is, should I be formally complaining about the real estate agent for the solicitor mix up, and should I be trying to get my money back from the solicitors for frankly slap dash work/negligence, particularly if all falls through now and I'm out of pocket (they didn't notice missing documents/ didn't look at ground rent like I asked them to and almost let me sign), and does anyone think there will be anything to be done about the ground rent like renogiating the lease or would they be inclined to think I'm overreacting or just walk away now?
I feel quite sorry for the sellers in all this because I'm pulling out potentially a week before their requested exchange/completion, unless of course they were trying to pull the wool over my eyes and hope we didn't spot the ground rent clause (I mean it was a big scandal a few years back, I'm not sure they can be entirely oblivious to the issues, particularly since it doubles NEXT year).
Sorry about the rant, just so devastated!
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Escalating ground rent on my dream flat
16 replies
RubberDuckFiend · 24/06/2017 22:20
OP posts:
SnowBallsAreHere ·
25/06/2017 10:52
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