I purchased a flat using Robson & Co as my representative.
Obviously I relied on their expertise and experience to navigate the legal issues involved.
The process for applying for the Freehold to be transferred to my name was neither investigated or mentioned during the process.
This turned out to be an issue as the Freehold remained in the previous owners name and as the Leaseholder I was left with no contact details for the Freeholder and no ability to communicate with them.
As decisions about the block need to be made, other residents in the block are contacting me and I have no way of contacting the Freeholder. I have no contact details and no communication and as such I cannot enquire about anything that may affect my property going forward.
In hindsight I should have seen there was a looming problem here but respectfully I believe that my solicitor should have recognised this as well BEFORE the sale.
I have attempted to contact my Solicitor via phone but this has been thwarted by the receptionist who gives the usual excuse of the Solicitor not being at their desk and that I should please leave a message.
Assurances were given to me by email that Freeholder transfer documents had been submitted. Then after another delay I was informed by the receptionist that a Land Registry backlog was causing delays .
This was then found to be fundamentally not true as another Solicitor firm representing another flat owner revealed to me that these forms had NOT been submitted leaving me in a confused and embarrassing position.
Then next attempt to contact my solicitor on the phone was again unsuccessful as I was informed that she had left the company , that another person was dealing with my issue and I should email and then just wait.
I am still waiting for communication and clarity.
After a period of a year and a half since moving into my flat I believe there has been plenty of time to get this resolved and get some clarity . I fear the worst as I have been told NOTHING.
Having been more than patient and polite , on review I can't help coming to the conclusion that I am being fobbed off . There is clearly a deeper issue although what that is is still a mystery.
I do NOT feel I have benefitted from using Robson & CO. I do not fell they have been capable of addressing this as a potential issue BEFORE the sale and now after the sale I believe they are trying to absolve themselves or rectifying the matter or communicating with me about it at any level.
