Leasehold purchase – ridiculous solicitor fees.

[Bill e]

Without going into the dogs breakfast purchasing the freehold of my house has been. The freeholders solicitor has charged a ridiculous fee (even my solicitor says so) BUT, I wanted to go to the first tier tribunal (I think this is how to challenge the fees), we have completed the freehold purchase. Is it the case that nothing can be done? the purchase has been completed in December 2019
*
I was not told about this and thought I could pursue it shortly after the sale..
*
TIA
*
Bill.
*

[Amethyst]

How much were the freeholders solicitors fees ?
Were they quoted to you in advance ?*
You were the single leaseholder ( no other leaseholders involved in the purchase of the freehold?)
You agree to pay reasonable costs including the freeholders legal costs - do you have a full breakdown of what the solicitors fee includes ?*

[Bill e]

Hi, thanks for replying
After reading horror storys about freeholders and their solicitors I asked my solicitor to try to get an indication from the freeholder’s solicitor of costs.
He got an email from the person dealing with this at the time (it was passed to a senior partner afterwards) saying (I’m quoting) “XXXX the legal fees will be 650 + vat per case” so - £780
I was actually charged £1594.30 no breakdown whatsoever (a question I asked).
There was actually a neighbour doing it with me. Me and my wife, him and his wife, house street numbers 2 and 5 two separate houses
My problem is, after complaining to my solicitor, they are saying, because I completed knowing the fees, it is unlikely that I will be able to challenge them. Also that the completion would have had to be delayed.
I was not told this when I spoke to my solicitor on the phone shortly before paying. What I did mention was that I would challenge the fees afterwards and complain to the SRA, surely, they should have given me advice as to how to challenge the fees.
At that time I did not know about the first tier tribunal. Is it the case that I have no redress because I have completed? Has my solicitor not given me duty of care? ****
*

[Bill e]

A follow up to above which may help someone in the future - you cannot complain to the first tier tribunal after completion, which I did not know and my solicitor did not tell me when I complained to her about the fees (I am of the opinion they did not know), below is part of the reply from the FTT, I am now told from my home insurance company (direct line) who I had legal cover with at the time that the policy does not cover this. Does anyone know a good no win no fee solicitor for Professional negligence?

"The Tribunal are unable to accept retrospective applications for a determination as to the reasonable costs.
As you have now purchased the freehold you are no longer a leaseholder and only disputed reasonable costs prior to purchase can be made to the Tribunal."

[SAK2020]

Hi all I had the same issue finding a solicitor providing reasonable quotes. Some of the fees I was being quoted appeared to be disproportionate for the work requires. Eventually settled on a firm who based in Amersham/Chesham who gave a very reasonable quote. Very satsified with the work undertaken too!