Solicitors More at Fault Than Estate Agents for Conveyancing Delays, Claims New Survey

Fri, 20 Nov 2009

New research from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has revealed a slight sense of dissatisfaction with the role of solicitors in the conveyancing process. Homebuyers and sellers believe solicitors are more at fault for delays in the conveyancing process than estate agents . The findings were contained in one of four studies published by the consumer watchdog into home buying and selling.

255 sellers were interviewed overall, of which 108 had experienced delays in the process. 20 per cent of those blamed their own solicitor or the buyer’s solicitor, with most of these complaints involving accusations of poor communication. Buyers were blamed in the majority of cases – 39 per cent.

Although 89 per cent said they were satisfied with the levels of service provided by solicitors and their law firms, more people accused their solicitor of being responsible for delays. The high legal costs charged by law firms and their solicitors could mean that people have greater expectations of solicitors, and the Law Society pointed out how solicitors are often left with the task of breaking bad news.

A full study on improving the buying and selling process will be published by the OFT in early 2010.
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