Not been paid money from solicitor - anything I can do?

[CoolHands]

I jointly own the freehold to a property split into three flats. One owner sold, and we (eventually, after mucho negotiation) agreed he would pay £900 towards costs we had as freeholders incurred eg buildings insurance, repair of roof etc which he had never contributed to. He needed us to sign the transfer form to the new owners, hence why he eventually agreed to pay, and in return we signed the necessary paperwork.

Now as I know I can't trust him, upon verbal agreement with him (the seller) I spoke to his solicitor on the phone, and it was agreed the sum would be paid that we had settled on. I brought up the fact that the (seller) could be promising me gazillions and I would never see it so how did I know I would get paid....He said that on the day of completion the money gets paid in by the mortgage company etc and that he would then distribute the monies eg (I presume) stuff like fees, land registry charges etc <whatever>.

Now since this is a bona fide solicitor I assumed I wouldn't need to get this in writing. Turns out, the sale has completed, new people moved in etc and my bank balance looks as decidedly close to zero as it ever did.

I emailed shortly before I believe they completed (I don't know the exact day), but he has not replied.

So, I will send a another message to him tonight, but is there anything I might include in my communication to err. encourage him to respond....

Edited by CoolHands on Wednesday 24th September 20:01

[anonymous-user]

At this stage you only write a firm but polite chaser. Beyond that, you will have a claim against the seller. Also, there may be an argument that the solicitor gave an undertaking and failure to comply with that would be a regulatory matter. Don't go from 0 to 60 just yet.

[CoolHands]

Breadvan72 said:

Beyond that, you will have a claim against the seller.

oh gawd I'm hoping I can get it out the solicitor cos trying to get it out the seller would defo be chucking good money after bad IYKWIM.
cheers

[CoolHands]

You know what's annoying? (yeah this is starting to get my goat now) - I have always been eminently fking reasonabubble. Stupid tosser never paid a fking bean for anything regarding the property. fking mother fker - I should have told him to get fked and not signed the shagging form until I had the lolly in my hand. But at the figure we agreed he was still getting off lightly really, but I didn't want to screw him into the ground. tt.

yes I feel slightly better now. but not much

[catman]

This may seem like a random question, but how do you know that you were speaking to his Solicitor?

Did you phone them, or did he hand the phone to you? Just asking...

Tim

[CoolHands]

yeah I googled them and rang from the provided number, and also checked he was registered with the law society That's how much I trusted the seller. He also spoke with a very posh accent

Anyway thanks all - one mildly serious email has been despatched. I shall report back if I ever get anywhere.

[JustinP1]

Breadvan72 said:

Don't go from 0 to 60 just yet.

This.

The big transfers on completion day cost money each £25 IIRC.

He's probably doing it by BACS or some other method to make it cheaper. I'd certainly be wanting to contact them tomorrow though to confirm the transfer has indeed been placed.

[calibrax]

You've already sent an email, and as there was no reply you should assume that he hasn't seen it and follow it up with a phone call. It's quite easy to miss an email if your inbox is usually very busy.

[andygo]

Especially if it's asking for money...