The Daily Mail today published an article entitled “Is your estate agent taking ‘bribes’ from your lawyer?” which recommends the following sensible advice when appointing a conveyancing solicitor:
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Do:
· Keep everything simple and separate in a conveyancing transaction
· Employ a conveyancing solicitor you trust, even if he costs more.
· Remember that estate agents aid buying and selling houses and nothing more.
· Demand to know in writing about any conveyancing referral fees paid.
Don’t:
· Accept a conveyancing solicitor recommended by an estate agent – that is sufficient disqualification in itself.
· Get involved in cash back deals with estate agents – get a discount on the sale price instead.
· Encourage conflicts of interest – organise your solicitors and mortgage brokers yourself- this is far cheaper.
· Employ an estate agent’s Home Information Pack provider – they are often costly and pay kickbacks, too (see the recent Which report).