Charging after its all finished

[alex4orne]

I recently sold my house, did the usual through the solicitor, he paid everybody then sent me the balance. About 3 weeks later he wrote to me saying he had made a mistake and not paid the mortgage company enough money.
He has now sent me a bill for several hundred pounds for the balance owing to the mortgage company.
I feel I shouldn't give him anymore as this is obviously his mistake and he should have got the correct figures in the first place. As I have his final statement, detailing evrything paid, should I give him this money??

A a by line afew hundred poounds is a lot of money at the moment as I am not earning anything (still deciding what direction to go in).

Any advice would be helpfull

Many thanks

[Chris H]

Regardless of their mistake if you do indeed owe the money then pay it.

[alex4orne]

Regardless of their mistake if you do indeed owe the money then pay it.

I understand where you are coming from, but if I had tried to adjust my bill after my custs had paid, when I was running my business they would have laughed at me. Then probably gone elswhere.

If he had billed me the right amount to start with it wouldn't be a problem, am a bit on my high horse about this, and feel I should stick to my principles.

[Antonia @limeone.com]

I think you should complain to their senior partner and get a full explanation of exactly why there was a mistake. It is not uncommon for solicitors to get one redemption statement to detail what is owed and then a few weeks later the mortgage company faxing a new one after sale telling them of the mistake of the mortgage company. Get to the bottom of whose mistake it is first then advise on here for help with the next steps.

[alex4orne]

I can do that already, solicitor used an out of date redemtion cert/letter then worked out what he thought the difference should be.

I wont name and shame, but communication has been difficult, he even closed early for xmas (exchange day) and didn't let me know. Nor yet did he inform me that the exchange hadn't happened and he was off for 2 weeks. Irelevant realy , but I spent all of xmas and new year not knowing if my house had sold.

[Antonia @limeone.com]

In that case then he is in breach of his duty to the mortgage company also. You need confirmation from them of the dates involved for requesting the redemption statement so the delay can be clearly shown.

Ask for collection of your file. You can then take advice on a claim for negligence and if you are not earning and on benefit can obtain initial advice free of charge. You can then also write a detailed letter to the senior partner and if needed write to these
http://www.legalcomplaints.org.uk/home.page

You may not get financial redress in total but this will certainly get any sensible solicitor wanting to put things right to avoid disciplinary action,.

[alex4orne]

Thanks for that Antonia, will do as you say and keep this thread updated as I go

Alex

[Boxby]

I bought a house on 22 Dec 2006. This morning a receive a cheque for £29 from the solicitor for the balance on the account for the transaction!!!!!