Being somebody in the property business im well used to doing business with conveyancers having sold 4 properties in the last 4 years.on 1st Dec. 2024 I accepted an offer on a leasehold apartment,having already had a quote from Ramsdens I instructed them to proceed with the conveyancing,within 4/5 days I had completed all the forms,paid a disbursement fee,provided deeds and everything else that they needed to proceed.
They said that they would contact Together Housing for the Leasehold pack and when they get a response about the fees they would contact me for the funds.
When I hadn't heard anything from Ramsdens for 7 weeks I assumed the Leasehold pack had been paid directly by Ramsdens and forwarded to buyers solicitor and would be added to my bill at completion,but no on 29 Jan I was asked for £210 for the leasehold pack saying Together Housing had just got back to them regarding their request,making out it took them 7 weeks to respond,REALLY.
I sent Ramsdens £210 to forward to Together Housing thinking things would progress nicely from now on.
How wrong I was as 3 weeks later I rang and spoke to 'Emma' who said they had sent the payment on but had heard nothing yet,which turned out to be untrue as when I rang 1 week later this time speaking to 'Joe' I was informed that their accounts office hadn't informed them I'd forwarded £210 to them so they hadn't sent it on to Together Housing but had just done so that day.
Today I was passing their new premises in Dean Clough so thought I get a further update,spoke to 'Joe'who was in reception and one of the people supposedly dealing with my property,he said he was too busy to look at the moment but would definitely email me later today to keep me up to speed.
Yes you guessed it 'no email',glad I hasn't holding my breath.
We're over 3 months in now and Ramsdens haven't even got the documents yet to send to the buyers solicitor.
So what I'm advising is DO NOT,REPEAT DO NOT PICK RAMSDENS TO DO YOUR CONVEYANCING.Choose anybody but them as they will deceive,tell you untruths and definitely not stick to the speedy service they promise at the outset.
What Ramsdens are unaware of is that a few of my properties are leasehold from Together Housing and im in regular contact with Rhian Williams Home ownership officer who confirms when and if Ramsdens have contacted them regarding my properties.
I will continue adding to this post as things progress OR NOT.
So watch this space