Purple bricks deferred payment and conveyancing

[legallystressed]

I signed up with Purplebricks on their deferred payment terms. I was aware that if the house sold, I would have to use their chosen conveyancing services however, under their terms which state: PAYMENT TERMS – EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

If you choose to Pay Later you shall make payment in full of the Product Service Fee when any of the following occurs, whichever happens first:

• When the property sells and the legal process is complete or
• If you withdraw your instructions for us to market the property or
• If you choose not to use the Conveyancing Services or
• Ten months from the date you enter into the Service Agreement.

I thought that if the house didn't sell withing the 10 months period, I would no longer be obliged to use their conveyancing services but they are insisting I must, does anybody have any thoughts on this?

[legallystressed]

Anybody?

[des8]

This seems to be a common complaint with Purple Bricks, but I haven't found anyone who managed to wriggle out of the agreement.

[legallystressed]

But hasn't the agreement come to an end when payment is due? Do Purplebricks expect you to use their conveyancing team for perpetuity? When the 10 months comes to an end and the house isn't sold, payment is still due as that was the service agreement but if payment is due, surely the service agreement is at an end. Their terms are very unclear at best. Thanks for your reply

[Jinxer]

You left this bit out.
It is a condition of Pay Later that you agree to instruct the Conveyancing Services to act on your behalf once a sale is agreed with a purchaser and you hereby agree that you will irrevocably instruct the Conveyancing Services to make payment in full of the Product Service Fee to Purplebricks or any third party entitled to collect payment of the Product Service Fee notified to you on Completion in the event that you have not already made payment in accordance with these terms and conditions.

Should the due date for payment of the Product Service Fee be before completion (i.e. because (i) you withdraw your instructions for us to market the property, or (ii) you choose not to use the Conveyancing Services, or (iii) ten months have elapsed from the date you entered into the Service Agreement) then payment of the Product Service Fee will be debited from your card in accordance with your authorisation. If full payment is not made in accordance with these terms and conditions, interest may be charged up to the legal rate of interest permitted by law. You agree (in addition to the payment of the Product Service Fee and any applicable interest) to pay all reasonable costs we (or any third party nominated by us from time to time) incur in recovering such sums from you (including but not limited to legal and administration fees).

[Jinxer]

From looking quickly on their website...It looks at first glance that you have to pay Ł899.00

[legallystressed]

The service fee has been paid because (iii) 10 months have already elapsed. The sale is going through now but Purplebricks still expect me to use their conveyancing even though the service agreement has come to an end and the fee has been paid. What if I had decided not to sell until 5 years after the fee was paid, would I still be expected to use their conveyancing?

[Jinxer]

The terms and conditions have changed since you instructed Purple Bricks. Today all you would have to pay is the Ł899.00 or Ł1399.00 depending on location. I think with the old terms and conditions you may be liable to a Ł360.00 admin fee on top.

[legallystressed]

I understand all the terms but what I don't understand is when is the end date of the agreement? Surely an agreement has a start and end date. I presumed the end date was 10 months from instruction i.e. when payment is due for the services provided. If that is the end date then the terms therein don't apply, do they?

[des8]

Contracts can be open ended, there is nothing inherently wrong in that

If you have reached the end of the 10 month period and paid their service charge and withdrawn your instructions, you are no longer under contract to them.
They could not then force you to use their conveyancer, as long as they had not introduced the buyer

[2222]

I have only read the extracts from the contract on this thread, but it seems to cater for LegallyStressed not using PB's conveyancers. The consequence in the contract is that the delayed fee becomes payable immediately, but as it has already been paid, I cannot see a problem.

I'd complain.

[Gill1985]

I'm sure that this has been just the politics of the company, to enlarge the contract because they are interested in this deal. This is clear, that they don't want to lose the client. I have read about Best Solicitors on the internet many good reviews. So, you can try to ask for their help according to your question. They will explain to you if it is normal that offers your lawyer and to consult you online on how to proceed correctly. The selling of the estate is really a nervous process and there are a lot of important moments that you should know. Ask different specialists and choose the best one for you. When we were selling our house we also called for the help of specialists. Indeed, I was very worried, about not getting into scammers. But fortunately, all went fine and we were pleased that we turned to them.

[jaguarsuk]

I agree completely with 2222’s post #11 based on what has been posted here.

Simply tell them you’re choosing to use other conveyancing services which will trigger the service fee being payable and that you paid that on XX/XX/20XX therefore there is nothing owing.

Then instruct whoever you like to do the conveyancing.