Can we sack our solicitor 3 weeks before exchange?

[SushiAtTheSeaside]

We chose our solicitor via local recommendations and are very disappointed. We send queries and requests for updates and get inadequate or no answers back. Today we asked some specific questions about the status of the sellers' recent gas and electric inspections and he simply sent us a bunch of attachments that the seller's solicitor sent him a month ago. I've come to the conclusion that he's semi-retired and not very committed anymore despite past glowing recommendations.

We're at the point where all searches, except local searches have come back. So we're hopefully just a few weeks from exchange and then completion in late August.

Is it worth changing solicitors at this point? Is it possible?

If nothing complicated lies ahead and you’re very close
what would be the point?

local recs usually are brilliant. Did you trust the person recommending?!

I've felt the same way about ours. Was highly recommended and really great reviews. However the person we ended up with was someone else part of the company and she's been really poor imo. However, we're at the same stage as you and I don't think there's any point now. And you'd pay more fees for someone else?

I would certainly quibble the final invoice
but at this point unless complexities on the horizon, then I would not change

Important to raise your concerns and dissatisfaction now though so he can remedy in the closing strait

There were several local recommendations and it has an initial consultation with him. He talked through the process very comprehensively, which was helpful as we're ftbs and assured me he'd sends updates, let us know as searches came in and alert us to any issues. So I felt confident instructing him.

The purchase is mostly straight forward though there may be a couple of things that could justify a price reduction or other negotiation, and I don't feel he knows the case that thoroughly or would really be fighting for our best interest.

But I can see that this late in the process, or might not make sense to switch.

Have you told him that you want to negotiate on price?

It’s not the job of the solicitor to look for things that you can haggle over the price for. He is representing your interests in the transaction not trying to cut you a deal. It sounds like he sent you the copies of the inspections, what else were you expecting him to do?

Were there any issues In the searches?

Sound like he’s not racking up lots of fees on the upside

The purchase is mostly straight forward though there may be a couple of things that could justify a price reduction or other negotiation, and I don't feel he knows the case that thoroughly or would really be fighting for our best interest.

he represents you OP
i suspect you were hoping for more of a hand hold
which you could get, but you would pay for

Were the recs from FTB?

I have to say I agree with this post. They sent you copies of the inspections and certificates as provided by the vendors. Presumably all the ones you asked about, otherwise they’d have sent they hadn’t received one/some. He’s no more an electrical / building regs / gas expert than you are - if you want a professional opinion on those matters you need the relevant expert surely?

I was in a similar situation. Was bloody useless leading up to exchange/completion. Semi retired only working 2 days a week.

He absolutely pulled it out the back on the day of exchange and sorted really complicated situation from seller who was trying to do us over last min.

I think the lack of updates were because he was actually doing all the ground work behind the scenes really well and not feeling the need to tell us the fires he had been putting out.

I think solicitors worked differently 40 years ago when he started and was very stuck in his ways

It would seem an unwise to decision to appoint an entirely different solicitor as you appear to be rather advanced with the whole process.

I agree with others above, solicitors don't generally negotiate price reductions on their client's behalf (they may pass on a request for a reduction to the vendor's solicitor however) nor are they experts in gas appliances or electrical installations.

This is what I was thinking.

I'm not expecting him to haggle for us, but I am expecting some feedback on his findings and whether things look to be in order with the house. If there are things that might justify a reduction, is it reasonable to expect he'd give an opinion or some guidance on that?

We've asked if he has any concerns about the searches that have come back, or if there's anything he plans to query with the seller's solicitor and he doesn't answer. The seller's solicitor has also chased him a few times for status updates and queries and he apparently said he'd send queries when all the searches are back. Maybe that means he has no queries or concerns so far, but is it unreasonable to expect him to answer us? I had to ask three times whether things are on track to make the target exchange date before he answered. I don't think we're being particularly demanding!

But as I said, this is our first time going through the process, so maybe my expectations are wrong ... Although he's there one who set them when we had our initial conversation about the service he provides.

Maybe he's quietly doing everything in the background but I'm not as confident about that as I'd like to be.

Hi @SushiAtTheSeaside not by any means an expert but couple of things I’ve heard are that a new solicitor may have to repeat a lot of the work already done. Plus not to rely on the other sides solicitor saying it’s your solicitor’s delay. Again only things I’ve been told but hope that’s of some use!

I'm not expecting him to haggle for us, but I am expecting some feedback on his findings and whether things look to be in order with the house. If there are things that might justify a reduction, is it reasonable to expect he'd give an opinion or some guidance on that?

Short answer is no that isn't something he would give an opinion or guidance on.

It's also totally normal for Solicitors to wait for all searches etc to be returned before they report back. It is not usual practice to update the client on each search as it comes in etc

If there are things that might justify a reduction, is it reasonable to expect he'd give an opinion or some guidance on that?

In my experience, no that isn't a reasonable expectation. We have always been given very factual information highlighting any risks, what we choose to do with that information is up to us but we've never had a solicitor give an opinion on price

I don’t think you understand the role of the solicitor

have you ever bought a house before ?

but I am expecting some feedback on his findings and whether things look to be in order with the house. If there are things that might justify a reduction, is it reasonable to expect he'd give an opinion or some guidance on that?

good grief Op

you and your partner need to “adult-up”.

have you had a survey?

It is very clear that you expected your solicitor to be like having Kirsty and Phil by your side throughout the process.

the role of your conveyancing solicitor is to process the legalities of your house purchase. Period.

I don't think you understand the role of the solicitor in the transaction. They are there to make sure you will legally own the house at the end of the transaction. They are not there to advise on the price you are paying or to deal with any discounts you want - that is for you to deal with, via the estate agent.

When did the solicitor start working for you?

Good grief, chill out! You really don't seem to understand the conveyancing process at all. It is massively unrealistic to expect an update to every search/query. Don't forget, he will have lots of other clients and your fee does not cover multiple pointless communications! I heard from my solicitor maybe 5 times in total for my last house purchase- where it was NEEDED she got in touch. As the professional I trusted her judgement and all was fine.

As above, the solicitor acts in the transfer of the property from A to B.

They look at all the documentation provided, such as the searches, the title, the restrictive covenants, etc and when they have all the information they need, they will send you a report on the property (report on title) with their findings.

They don't tend to update you with 'reports' at every stage of the transaction. They send you documents which you can peruse, but the explanation of these will be in their report.

And no, solicitors don't get involved with what you are paying for the property. Price negotiations are done through the EA.

If you change solicitor now, the new solicitor will duplicate a lot of the work done so far. A new solicitor cannot risk putting their name to work that a previous solicitor has done, as if something had been missed, it could be their careers on the line.

I don’t think the Op will be back