3 Signs You’re A Victim Of Conveyancing Negligence

When you instruct a conveyancer, you expect conveyancing transactions to complete according to plan. Conveyancing negligence happens when a solicitor makes a mistake such as missing key information or giving incorrect advice. When these errors cause a financial loss or put the buyer at risk, you are entitled to pursue a claim.

There are many signs that may suggest you’re a victim of negligence, below are some of the most common to be aware of. We’ll also discuss how you can get the compensation you deserve with the help of a solicitor like Been Let Down.

Serious Issues With the Property Were Missed

One of the main responsibilities a solicitor has is to complete a detailed search of the property and thorough checks before you buy. These searches should reveal any major issues that can go unnoticed and leave you with complications after completion. When the solicitor hasn’t fulfilled a detailed search this can result in important factors being missed. A common issue that can be missed is the risk of flooding. A solicitors search should identify whether the property is in a flood zone or if there is any history of flooding. Flooding comes with the obvious financial loss of repairs and increased insurance costs.

Your Solicitor Failed to Follow Key Legal Procedures

There are several tasks that a solicitor must complete accurately and on time to ensure the transaction process is not only smooth but also legally sound. When these tasks aren’t completed properly then this can leave room for error and potential conveyancing negligence. A common process in negligence law is when a solicitor fails to register your property with the land registry on time. If they fail to do so within the usual 30 days there are several impacts of this such as your ownership not being formally recorded which may result in you struggling to sell or remortgage in the future because the property is not officially in your name.

You Suffered Financial Loss Due to Poor Advice

Another key responsibility a solicitor has during the process is to provide accurate legal advice. If information given is incorrect or poorly communicated, this can result in financial loss, which is one of the clearest indicators of conveyancing negligence. A common example of this is your solicitor not explaining all financial obligations linked to buying the property. Without being warned about these costs, you could be left paying unexpected amounts after buying the property.

What to Do If You Suspect Conveyancing Negligence

If you think you may be a victim of conveyancing negligence the most important thing to do is act quickly and gather as much paperwork as possible and create a clear timeline of events. Next, it is good to assess the financial impact you think the negligence has caused, a claim usually relies on you proving that mistakes led directly to financial loss. This could include things such as unexpected repair costs, reduced property value or increased insurance or maintenance costs. Even if you’re not exactly sure on the amounts it is useful to prepare an initial list. Once you have all this information, contact specialist conveyancing negligence solicitors to assess your case. If they think there has been a breach of duty, they will calculate the likely compensation and negotiate with insurers or take court action if necessary.