I bought my flat 2 years ago, and the solicitor that was representing me did not advise or explain that the flat is leasehold and at 57 years is quite low and will need extending when I sell the property. If he had gone through this with me the vendor could have got some figures for me and I could have made an informed decision as to whether or not to buy the flat. I have now sold the property, and the buyers solicitor has asked for the details of the lease extension (as mine should have done). I have just received the figures (after paying £300) and they are asking for nearly £11,000. We will be contesting the figure, but I am sure our buyers will pull out and we will also lose the property we have purchased. I feel that my solicitor should have properly informed me of this when I bought the property - am I in any position to be seeking compensation from them?

November 27, 2008 by Anonymous

One of the duties of a solicitor when acting for the purchaser of a property is to ensure that their client is fully aware of what they are purchasing and to advise of any foreseeable difficulties and other matters affecting the property. It is totally inexcusable that this solicitor failed to discuss with you that your flat was leasehold and that the lease only had a limited period to run. The length of a lease is critical to the value of a leasehold property and such is therefore a matter of utmost importance.

I fear that you could well be correct in that your property is now either un-saleable or worth less than it otherwise would have been. If this is indeed the case it is through no fault of your own and certainly a claim could well lie made against the solicitor (or rather his professional insurers) you instructed to look after your interests.

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