***Yes, they take any fees associated with the sale and then transfer the balance to you. From what I remember they don't hold it for long.***
Just long enough to have it in the company overnight accounts for a night or two and get interest...not just your money, but everyone else's property money.
I'm afraid that there is no escape, ukanonymous unless has been said you don't use one. Did you use an estate agent ?, if you did they have got to have their cut as well.
ubasses, the solicitor does NOT have to "open a clients account re your name" whatever that is intended to mean. Whilst all solicitors operate a general office account, they have a "Client Account" in which they deposit all monies due to their clients. Money due to all clients are paid from this account.
A solicitor most certainly does not have to open an account in the client's name. Banking practice and the Law Society forbids such behaviour.