Surveyors/Legal Services in general

DON'T use J P Waterhouse, Banbury, as Solicitors for your house purchase/sale. They are not our Solicitors but have been instructed by the vendor, so I cannot comment on the quality of their legal advice - but their customer service is appalling. The solicitor himself 'unavailable' for weeks at a time, surly receptionists who even just hang up the phone! Give misinformation, different messages each time you speak to them. Unreaosnable delay caused. I wouldn't even consider buying a house in future if I knew the vendor was using them! Be warned...

This surveyor conducted a survey of a property for me in 2000. He failed to mention that two parts of the property were in need of complete demolition and rebuilding. He said they were fine with just minor repairs needed. This negligence cost me upwards of £15,000. When a complaint was made to him directly, then to the RICS, he refused to make any reply to me, my solicitor, or the RICS. So far, the RICS has fined him £1500 each for several breaches of their code of practice plus given him a "severe reprimand" for refusing to reply to the complaint. But he still refuses to make any reply to the complaint itself. So nearly three years on, he ...  Read the complete review

Moving house can be stressful enough thus it is a good idea to get a decent Solicitor on your side to do the conveyancing. When I bought my new house I got I special deal on the conveyancing with "New Homes Legal Helpline" with the builders. The sale of my old place and buying the new place all went through very smoothly and I was very happy with the service I received especially after the I had moved in and received a cheque from my Solicitor for £5,000. "Great some money left over, that's a nice surprise", I thought. So I did what any self respecting person would do who had just moved into a new house and had to buy the extras and furniture, yes ...  Read the complete review

The process of house moving is always very stressful, but perhaps it helps a bit to know why some things take so long and what can be done about it. From the point of view of a buyer You need:- 1) an offer of a loan. 2) the sale of your existing house 3) the result of searches, principally a search with the local authority and the environment agency (contaminated land). 4) a contract from the seller's solicitors. 5) replies to formal questions about the house called enquiries before contract. 6) a survey for value (minimum) and condition (needed for most houses, except new houses). What slows it ...  Read the complete review

Why's it taking so long to buy/sell that house? Throughout the conveyancing process there are often delays of some sort and usually it's the estate agent who gets it in the neck. Problems often occur at the following stages: The title deeds will usually be held by the vendor's bank/building society. It's a good idea to apply for these at the earliest opportunity. ie when you put the property up for sale. The vendor's solicitor prepares the draft contract, it's in his/her hands-there shouldn't really be a delay. Local authorities/Land Registry can be slow in replying to searches. If the sale is urgent, ...  Read the complete review