Engaging this firm to assist with the purchase of a leasehold property turned out to be a profoundly disappointing experience that exposed serious shortcomings in their service quality. What began as a routine conveyancing process revealed critical oversights, culminating in significant stress, frustration, and ultimately the abandonment of the purchase.
KEY ISSUES:
Lack of Transparency: One of the most alarming aspects of my experience was the lack of transparency regarding the nature of the transaction. Key details—such as the inclusion of a 50% share of the freehold, annual estate fees amounting to £2300, and the responsibility to act as the landlord for the entire building—were concealed by the vendor and the estate agent. Though these facts were revealed early in the process, my solicitor failed to communicate them to me, depriving me of the opportunity to make informed decisions.
Failure to Act in My Best Interest: Rather than consulting me about these critical details, the solicitor proceeded with the transaction, making agreements on my behalf. It was only one week before the scheduled completion date that I learned of these terms—information that drastically changed the nature of the purchase and forced me to withdraw. This lack of proactive engagement and communication demonstrated a concerning disregard for my best interests as a client.
Lacklustre Complaint Resolution: When I raised a formal complaint with the firm detailing my concerns (i.e. I was billed for 75% of the work + an abortive fee of 75% of the cost estimated), their response was deeply unsatisfactory. Rather than addressing the specific points of grievance, they padded their reply with irrelevant statements, downplayed their failings, and offered a superficial solution. In a brief acknowledgment, the solicitor admitted to omitting certain information regarding the legal title but trivialized the impact of this omission. As a token gesture, the firm offered a £500 goodwill reduction—a response that fell far short of addressing the gravity of the situation.
CONCLUSION: This experience has left me deeply disappointed and disillusioned with the firm’s conveyancing services. I expected my solicitor to act in my best interest, ensuring that I was thoroughly informed of all relevant details well in advance. Instead, their lack of transparency and accountability caused significant upheaval. This has not only made me question their competence but also undermined my trust in professional services as a whole. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this firm to others seeking conveyancing services.
