Go with agency recommended solicitor and survayour or not?

Fifi80 · 2023-05-18T19:23:20+00:00

Hi, We're first-time home buyers and need some help. We got our offer accepted on a property and now must find a solicitor and surveyor. The estate agency recommended those to us, but we are wondering if it would be better to find our own. What is your opinion?

Tulipvase · 18/05/2023 20:25

I’d ask around for a recommendation first, I wouldn’t necessarily trust the estate agent…..I would choose a solicitor that is local and an independent. Absolutely not an online one.

pilates · 18/05/2023 20:44

Personal recommendation is always good. Ask the agents if they get paid for solicitor recommendations

CC4712 · 18/05/2023 20:53

I would absolutely NOT use the ones 'recommended' by the agent- who get a nice handout if you do use them!!!

I would only go with personal recommendations. IF they happen to the be the same as the ones the estate agents use- so be it, but if asked, I'd say my friend XYZ recommended you- and not mention the agent.

At a push you could ask on nextdoor.com, but I'd prefer to ask friends/neighbours/colleagues instead.

GabrielleLegs · 18/05/2023 20:56

I would never use the ones recommended by the estate agent. They probably get a kick back for recommending and you'll be paying for that. Look for recommendations and shop around....prices vary widely.

namechanger563 · 18/05/2023 21:02

I'm not a fan of estate agent recommendations solicitors because a fee does change hands BUT there are good reasons to use them. The EA will have a member of their team whose job it is to 'progress' your sale and make sure it goes through. They only get paid when the sale goes ahead, so it's in their interest to help push it all through. If your sols are the recommended ones, then they have a relationship already. The progresser from the EA will be speaking to the sols about multiple sales every day and you will be on the same list to get updates about. If you use different sols, they'll still chase, but maybe not as often. Maybe not have as good a working relationship, maybe not have the contacts to escalate something if it's going slower or know when someone is slacking off etc.

I would ask the EA team how closely they work with the sols and how did they help the last time someone had a problem. If they rave about the sols, talk like they are friends and know them all, then it's probably a good thing to use them. If they don't seem to have any kind of relationship and it's just money changing hands for the referral then don't bother.

CooCooCaChu · 18/05/2023 21:08

I did and was really pleased I did for the reasons PP have outlined. The surveyor they recommended was also really great.

I initially found my own online solicitor who was terrible and it was so much easier when I switched to the EA recommended one.

The EA was an independent though so that might make a difference?

Original poster

Fifi80 · 18/05/2023 21:49

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

I understand that when dealing with a leasehold, the solicitor needs to be especially thorough due to the lengthier document and more detailed information involved.

Do you believe that a solicitor recommended by an EA would prioritise diligence and care, or would they be more focused on expediting the process?

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Original poster

Fifi80 · 18/05/2023 22:19

namechanger563 · 18/05/2023 21:02

I'm not a fan of estate agent recommendations solicitors because a fee does change hands BUT there are good reasons to use them. The EA will have a member of their team whose job it is to 'progress' your sale and make sure it goes through. They only get paid when the sale goes ahead, so it's in their interest to help push it all through. If your sols are the recommended ones, then they have a relationship already. The progresser from the EA will be speaking to the sols about multiple sales every day and you will be on the same list to get updates about. If you use different sols, they'll still chase, but maybe not as often. Maybe not have as good a working relationship, maybe not have the contacts to escalate something if it's going slower or know when someone is slacking off etc.

I would ask the EA team how closely they work with the sols and how did they help the last time someone had a problem. If they rave about the sols, talk like they are friends and know them all, then it's probably a good thing to use them. If they don't seem to have any kind of relationship and it's just money changing hands for the referral then don't bother.

Thank you for this.

Do you believe that a solicitor recommended by an EA would prioritise diligence and care, or would they be more focused on expediting the process?

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pilates · 19/05/2023 05:28

Fast transaction- they want it to go through asap so they get their commission

Sunflowergirl1 · 19/05/2023 05:59

Estate agents are one of the lowest of the low professions. Do not take any recommendation from them for which they will be receiving a payment. You want someone looking after you, not the EA

googledidnthelp · 19/05/2023 06:06

We happily went with out agents recommendation, they were local so I was aware of them for years and had great reviews. Gives us some comfort they actually know each other and conveniently located for us to go and see either if we need to.

Had the reviews been bad then maybe wouldn't have. We did just get another quote though to be satisfied the price was reasonable.

pilates · 19/05/2023 06:18

If you are buying a leasehold property there are a lot of things to check. Legislation changes and you need someone who specialises so they are up to date. So quick is not always best.

wildfirewonder · 19/05/2023 06:21

I would never use the recommended solicitor or surveyor. Conflict of interest IMO.

HalleLouja · 19/05/2023 06:23

It depends how much you trust your estate agent. Mine were great, I knew one of them beforehand and she’s totally trustworthy. Not normal….

Anyway, the recommendation they gave us was brilliant. I have since recommended them to others. So depends if you trust your estate agent, not to just recommend their best mate.

Upwiththelark76 · 19/05/2023 06:23

I would go with a local solicitors who have been recommended by friends / family . Having a firm you can pop documents to directly will really help . Avoid the cheapest you google especially those based far away because I can guarantee they will have hundreds of cases and will not prioritise anyone unless you pay extra! Look at reviews and do your research .

instantpotnoodle · 19/05/2023 06:42

It depends. Our EA recommends the main, and most regularly personally recommended solicitor. So we went with them. However, the surveyor they use quoted double of what most others did. So we didn’t use them.

Original poster

Fifi80 · 19/05/2023 08:09

Thank you so much for all of your insights and sharing experience! Much appreciated.

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Original poster

Fifi80 · 19/05/2023 08:13

If anyone has warm recommendations for a thorough and efficient conveyancing solicitor and a surveyor in London for a leasehold that would be very appreciated!

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HalleLouja · 19/05/2023 08:40

We used Charlotte Osbourne from Taylor Rose for conveyancing, she is based in London. But honestly is amazing

Original poster

Fifi80 · 20/05/2023 05:33

@HalleLouja thank you so much.

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MuddaUdders · 20/05/2023 06:06

Humphreys & Co - highly recommend and wouldn't use any other solicitor. Feel free to contact them for a quote before you make an informed choice. Also read online reviews to help you form an opinion on them.

www.humphreys.co.uk

Best of luck!!

Original poster

Fifi80 · 20/05/2023 07:04

@MuddaUdders thank you so much!

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MuddaUdders · 20/05/2023 08:47

You're welcome! And congrats on having your offer accepted - great times are ahead of you!