Lawyers cutting corners in rush for housing

According to a new report by the Legal Ombudsman, complaints about residential conveyancing have soared by 25% in the last year.

An article in the Law Society Gazette highlighted the rise, revealing that one in five complaints to the Ombudsman service relates to conveyancing, making it the area of law most complained about.

The service recovered a staggering £800,000 for clients who had been wronged by their conveyancers. This has sparked the belief that the new housing bubble may be forcing professionals to rush through purchases, leaving themselves wide open to complaint.

As Business Secretary, Vince Cable warns of a 'raging housing boom' in London and the South East, this is the very area which has bred more complaints in recent months than anywhere else in England and Wales.

As many of the complaints are relating to Stamp Duty Land Tax which is payable when buying a residential property over £125,000, the Ombudsman has now produced a free consumer guide to stamp duty. The guide also covers good practice for lawyers.

Adam Sampson, the Chief Legal Ombudsman raised his concerns as the report was published that lawyers are 'sacrificing quality of service to keep up with demand'.

Mr Sampson is reported to say, "It is concerning to see complaints from house buyers on the rise again.  An improved housing market will inevitably be partly responsible - creating pressure through higher volumes of work - but I suspect there are a number of causes including procedural issues within firms and in some cases even fraudulent activity".

Telling reporters that it is the consumers who are paying the price and warning would be house hunters to 'seek confirmation of any payments entrusted to a lawyer', Mr Sampson advises caution to buyers and sellers alike. 

Contact our trustworthy Preston solicitors for all your conveyancing matters for a sensible quotation today on 01772 882 888 or email info@ellencourt.com.

Ellen Court Solicitors

Preston Conveyancing