Can a conveyancing solicitor refuse to give advice on Right to Buy issues?

[Monja]

We are forced to complete our purchase, as our mortgage offer is expiring. Our landlord has miscalculated our discount and refuses to pay out rent refund due. We've asked our solicitor for help, as we knew we could have these matters sorted out under s.181 of the Housing Act 1985. However he refused to give advice on Housing Act matters. After unsuccessfully trying to obtain advice from barristers directly we've asked for, and were promised, help with this. The advice never materialised. We don't know where it leaves us with being able to claim money owed at a later date. It is a significant sum (equivalent of my yearly salary).

[stevemLS]

Re: Can a conveyancing solicitor refuse to give advice on Right to Buy issues?

A solicitor has a professional obligation only to give advice on those areas of law where they are sufficiently knowledgable.

I would say that if you complete the purchase your chance of revisiting the discount is nil. Sorry.