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Paul H

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Review of the Newbury Building Society, Mortgages:

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Good Building Society - shame about the lawyer

We have just completed a remortgage with the Newbury BS and we’re impressed by the prompt and efficient way the transaction was dealt with. However, there’s a but and it’s a big one - the standard of service we received from the solicitor we had to use (because they were the closest firm to us who are on the Newbury BS panel) was extremely poor. So much so, that it made extremely stressful and unpleasant what should have been a straightforward transaction. We came very close to pulling out of the entire deal, as we were made to feel dishonest by the “lawyer” we were allocated by Kingsley Bond Solicitors. When I learned that we would be required to pay for the Newbury BS’s legal costs as well as our own, and that the same lawyer would be representing both parties, I was surprised and concerned. This arrangement seemed ethically questionable, to say the least. In practice, it was worse. At no time did I feel that our “lawyer”, Tea Shonia, was acting for my wife and myself. I have worked and negotiated with lawyers throughout my career and I can honestly say that my dealings with Ms Shonia were amongst the least satisfactory of any in my forty years experience. That’s a shame because, as I said earlier in this questionnaire, our direct dealings with the Newbury BS, and those through our excellent broker, Chris McKee at One77 Mortgages, were refreshingly straightforward. We managed to complete the transaction in the end, and are pleased to have done so, but feel that this result was achieved in spite of, rather than with the help of, Kingsley Bond Solicitors. The above is why I have given the answer “Neutral” to the value for money question in this questionnaire. Under the circumstances, I feel that I am being extremely generous. Thank you. Reviewed on: 12th October 2024

Reply from Newbury Building Society We are sorry to hear you are disappointed with the service provided by the solicitor on your recent application. Newbury Building Society does not recommend any solicitor and has a large panel of solicitors we work with. We will pass these comments on to the solicitor to consider your concerns, if you have not already done so. Thank you for raising them with us. It is normal practice that the solicitor acts for both the lender and borrower and that the borrower is responsible for the fees. We are pleased to hear the remainder of the process and your interaction with Newbury Building Society has been positive. If you would like to contact us to discuss this further please get in touch and we will be happy to assist. Response date: 15th October 2024

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