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Original poster

Property Law

8 replies

Caleb64 · 13/10/2025 16:16

I have approached a solicitor and they would like £320 for an initial appointment which I’m not complaining about but it is quite a lot of money to spend when I have no idea whether I have any sort of claim here. I had hoped in might be a 15 minute appt at a price that was affordable just in case they say ‘there’s nothing you can do.’ Of course I know that solicitors need to earn money but for me it’s a bit too much if there’s nothing I could do. Obviously if there’s a chance at proving the person was negligent (not sure that’s the right term) then I know that I would have to pay - just putting that out there because I don’t want to offend anyone or for anyone to think that I wouldn’t be willing to pay going forward.

So, does anyone have any legal expertise that can advise if I should seek legal representation or experiences similar to mine?

I put a property up for auction with an auction house, was given a minimum guide price, the auction house (not auctioneer) said they had a buyer pre-auction. Sale has gone through and the property has been put up for auction again instantly. I believe the auction house misled me and may be linked financially to the buyer, may have potentially informed the buyer of the minimum price I had set, gave me a minimum price based on what they believed they could get from this or other buyers pre-auction, possibly benefitted financially in a way that misled me, used language to lead me to believe I wouldn’t achieve much more at auction. Of course all that may be perfectly legal but it feels negligent so would like advice. I tried to keep that as succinct as possible.

Massively grateful to anyone that can give advice.

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 13/10/2025 17:33

You’re only going to get signposting on here, not actual legal advice,

Why shouldn’t you pay £320 to get the benefit of someone’s years of experience to tell you whether or not it’s worth pursuing? That solicitor will have a fees target set by their employer.

prh47bridge · 13/10/2025 17:37

If you are right that they are financially linked to the buyer, this sounds like fraud. The question is whether you have any evidence or just your suspicion. Without evidence, legal action would be pointless. You don't need proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but you do need enough to convince the court that, on the balance of probabilities, you have been defrauded. You could, of course, refer the matter to the police who have the powers needed to investigate properly.

Original poster
Caleb64 · 13/10/2025 18:27

MinnieMountain · 13/10/2025 17:33

You’re only going to get signposting on here, not actual legal advice,

Why shouldn’t you pay £320 to get the benefit of someone’s years of experience to tell you whether or not it’s worth pursuing? That solicitor will have a fees target set by their employer.

I’m really not sure why you felt the need to comment to be honest other than to address a point that I had already made myself! I don’t have any friends and this is the sort of thing you might run by your friends or family to gain opinion 1st before paying a large sum of money. At no point did I say that I wouldn’t pay, just that I’m worried about paying someone £320 just to be told I have absolutely no right to do anything about the situation. I even went as far as to point out that I understand that they charge and why they do. Goodness me, do you really begrudge someone in a financial squeeze potentially getting some free advice from someone willing to give it on a forum designed for advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
Caleb64 · 13/10/2025 18:50

prh47bridge · 13/10/2025 17:37

If you are right that they are financially linked to the buyer, this sounds like fraud. The question is whether you have any evidence or just your suspicion. Without evidence, legal action would be pointless. You don't need proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but you do need enough to convince the court that, on the balance of probabilities, you have been defrauded. You could, of course, refer the matter to the police who have the powers needed to investigate properly.

Thank you so much for that, seems very sensible.

OP posts:
JohnofWessex · 13/10/2025 18:55

I think its more likley to be trading standards than The Police

Original poster
Caleb64 · 13/10/2025 19:06

JohnofWessex · 13/10/2025 18:55

I think its more likley to be trading standards than The Police

Thank you.

OP posts:
Nosleepforthismum · 13/10/2025 19:18

What’s the price difference between what it’s sold for and what it’s advertised at auction now? Have you done any research to see if the auction house has any links to the buyer? For example the buyer (if a company) could have the same director? You will also need to go through the terms and conditions of the contract you signed with the auction house which may give you a better idea where you stand.

Sorry OP, I have no idea if you may have a case here but that’s what I would do initially. I actually would then run it through chatGPT and pay the £20 a month for the advanced version (I use it all the time - it’s amazing) It’ll probably give you a much better idea of if you have a case before taking it to an actual solicitor.

Original poster
Caleb64 · 13/10/2025 19:37

Nosleepforthismum · 13/10/2025 19:18

What’s the price difference between what it’s sold for and what it’s advertised at auction now? Have you done any research to see if the auction house has any links to the buyer? For example the buyer (if a company) could have the same director? You will also need to go through the terms and conditions of the contract you signed with the auction house which may give you a better idea where you stand.

Sorry OP, I have no idea if you may have a case here but that’s what I would do initially. I actually would then run it through chatGPT and pay the £20 a month for the advanced version (I use it all the time - it’s amazing) It’ll probably give you a much better idea of if you have a case before taking it to an actual solicitor.

Great idea thanks. I think the contract will be airtight but also feel like they misled me which isn’t okay and I would at least like to complain to someone.

OP posts:
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