Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Apr 2014
- Posts
- 2,602
- Location
- East Sussex
Evening
We purchased a house back in August, and as part of the completion transferred £25K to our solicitors so they could pay the SDLT on the purchase.
All was well we assumed but then had a letter come though from HMRC in early October saying they hadn't received the stamp duty payment.
I've chased the solicitors every 2 weeks since that time and though they replied to my first enquiry ensuring me they would pay it immediately, nothing has happened and they no longer reply to my emails. I can't get though on the phone (I get stuck with the receptionist who I leave messages with for my solicitor).
I'm not sure what to do next - as far as HMRC are concerned I owe them the 25K. Paying HMRC another 25K (plus interest) isn't right.
Feels like my solicitor has potentially stolen the 25K - but I suppose there's a decent chance they are completely incompetent instead. I'm sure the police wouldn't be interested in this, HMRC don't care. Also unsure if I should contact the SRA or Legal ombudsman at this stage - or give it more time.
Has anyone here been though something similar? What did you do?
Many thanks
We purchased a house back in August, and as part of the completion transferred £25K to our solicitors so they could pay the SDLT on the purchase.
All was well we assumed but then had a letter come though from HMRC in early October saying they hadn't received the stamp duty payment.
I've chased the solicitors every 2 weeks since that time and though they replied to my first enquiry ensuring me they would pay it immediately, nothing has happened and they no longer reply to my emails. I can't get though on the phone (I get stuck with the receptionist who I leave messages with for my solicitor).
I'm not sure what to do next - as far as HMRC are concerned I owe them the 25K. Paying HMRC another 25K (plus interest) isn't right.
Feels like my solicitor has potentially stolen the 25K - but I suppose there's a decent chance they are completely incompetent instead. I'm sure the police wouldn't be interested in this, HMRC don't care. Also unsure if I should contact the SRA or Legal ombudsman at this stage - or give it more time.
Has anyone here been though something similar? What did you do?
Many thanks