Nasty letter from solicitor- for £16.88

[beetlemum]

A bit of background, bought house in Aug 2007 and used conveyancing solicitors recommended by the est agent as were cheap. Got a letter a week ago saying that they had just closed our file and found we owed £16.88. This sum is for searches done on the property we were selling, solicitor asked us to provide a cheque for £50 to local authority, which we did, apparently the cost of the searches was £66.88 and they returned our cheque? can't remember what was said in letter as slung it in bin. have had a second letter today, threatening us with a debt collector. Am annoyed as surely it was up to solicitors to know how much searches were, seems a bit rich to pursue us for debt 17 months after we moved. Its not the money its the principle! If they had asked me to pay up at the time I would have done... wgat do you suggest.. can they pursue me for this debt?

I would pay it, its not worth the aggro. Its not as if you don't owe them it, after all...

Yes they can. Sound slike they are closing files and chasing debts.

In what way was the letter nasty? What was wrong with the original letter?

Many coveyancing reliant firms are really struggling at present due the state of the housing market. Hence them pursueing I bet.

I would phone them up and ask for receiptsyou may never hear from them again... if they do pitch up with the 'evidence' then pay!

The letter was nasty in a typical 'we're going to get debt collectors onto you" sort of way. Nothing wrong with the first letter just threw it out as was riled by their incompetence. Think I will do as fy suggests and call them tommorow and ask for copies of reciepts etc so I can satisfy myself I am liable for the debt. Agree with hulababy's point re: conveyancing firms chasing debts I suppose they are fairly quiet atm and its a way to scrape some cash together.

It is a standard response to send a warning letter if first nice letter does not get an answer. I get threatening letters of that ilk from Npower every quater-for not paying the bill when it arrives!