GC Meadows

I used two separate solicitors for my house purchase and my land purchase. In both cases, I simply instructed them to handle the whole conveyancing thing. In both cases they did a full set of searches, and also had a good read of the deeds. I would expect no less. If it was simply a case of changing ownership I could have bypassed the solicitors (ok, maybe not on the house purchase, with a mortgage, but on my land I could have) and done land registry side myself, but we hire solicitors because they are supposed to think of/know about legal stuff that we might not know about. That's why we pay them enough so they can drive Bentleys and Ferraris. They're supposed to do all the legal stuff. If they don't, then they haven't done what they've been paid to do as far as I'm concerned.

 

I can't understand why your solicitor has been waiting months to receive Land Registry information from the vendors, when she could have downloaded it from the Land Registry website for about £7 (and possibly less if they have an account!).

Have you also enquired if the estate agents subscribe to the ombudsman scheme? http://www.tpos.co.uk/, failing that there's always there own complaints procedure (if they have one) plus RICS and NAEA complaints procedures. You have nothing to lose by going in a bit low key at first asking them for information, and see what happens before putting complaints in writing.

Perhaps best to make arrangements to visit in person and discuss as this will cost you nothing.

 

One more thing, I suggest that if there's potential for a dispute that nothing is posted on this thread that could be found by any other parties using Google, including images from their particulars.

 

My solicitor is going to tell them i'm "concerned" about the planning permission regarding the access.

Tomorrow i'm phoning the planners to confirm if there was an application or not.

 

Yep, it's funny how I didn't get much response out of mine till I spoke to her secretary earlier and asked why they were willing to let me spend £10k on a field that I might not be able to access

Remind me again, is it just solicitors and bankers that will be first up against the wall come the revolution or have I missed anyone?

 

I'ts not just PP, but also about Highways approval, plus getting a response from the Estate Agents about how "just a footpath" off a B Road has now become a vehicular access, and where are the necessary approvals? Telling them (the estate agents) yourself will not incur additional legal fees, as would your solicitor simply repeating what you have told her, and presumably you'll be charged again for her to inform you of the estate agents' response to her your questions.

I suggest avoiding anything that would permit them to stitch you up between the pair of them.

P.S. If talking to planners, also ask them about the 'planning history' of the site in case there has been previous applications/enforcement that might affect future use(s) of the site.

 

If I was you Zigs I would walk away from it unless you are going to lose too much money if you do walk away from it.There will be other plots of land come up for sale which will turn out better than this one.Even if you stay,the damage has been done and I don't think you will be able to feel the same about the land as you did before and it is going to leave a bitter taste.

I do hope and pray that you manage to get it sorted without being out of pocket by too much money

 

Ta Scrunge, i'll speak to them first thing and then tell the solicitor what she's failed to find out in the past 5 months

 

I'm walking away from it, but want to recover costs from the other parties first, it's not my fault that i've been mis informed. And ta

 

Sometimes, the relevant Parish Council can be helpful (unless perhaps the vendor is a Councillor, Mate, Crony, Relative, Neighbour, etc.), but an emailed screenshot of the access point sent to them may produce some useful background info.

Keep gathering info to support your case, an email to the PC costs nothing.

 

Done

 

Zigs would a 2 Acre pasture and Orchard with buildings be any good in Galhampton in Yeovil Somerset BA22 7 Bg for £75,000 be too,much money?