buying freehold

[jennymac]

I (and 8 other properties in my Avenue) are trying to buy the freehold on our property and have had a quote of £100 solicitors fees plus dispursements. When I approached the leaseholder who happens to be my Community council they have basically said unless we use their solicitors whose charges were £300 plus community councils charges of £100 they would have to increase the community councils charges to approximately three times as much. This sounds totally wrong and can anyone advise me or has anybody else been in this situation.

[Richard1966]

whats a community council?

[jennymac]

They usually operate in small communities such as villages and they deal with the issues within the village. They then liaise with the local councils. They can bring up matters of planning etc, put forward objections but the final say is with the local council. The best way to describe them are they act as a go between betwwn the community and local council. They were set up as parish councils in communities that were usually in remote areas.

[The Builder]

I've bought freehold in the past Jenny, and my understanding is that a freeholder is under no obligation to sell the freehold............ and if they do, they name their price!

But, don't quote me, but I can't think that the Law Society would approve of one solicitor acting for both parties .......... conflict of interest ....... duty of care etc......
Any lawyers about?

[oracle39]

I approached a landlord about buying a freehold and was told we would have to pay their fees too and they wanted £1500 per property , I think the solicitor is being unrealistic about his fee and the work involved.

[bushbaby_de]

Are they perhaps suggesting that you have to agree to their solicitor drafting the legal documents? In which case you can still have your own solicitor to represent your interests. This is how we operate with planning agreements, which is why I'm suggesting it.

[bushbaby_de]

duplicate post http://www.theanswerb...w/Question984227.html