Conveyancing. Charging to use Trust Account & other rip off?

Hi,

Subdividing a Property, got a quote of $990 + disbursements.

Price was higher than I get quoted elsewhere but they were referred to me, so I engaged them.

Now everything is good to go, they send me an invoice for $1,300 for their 'fees plus disbursement' hmmmm

They list registration fees, Plan supported by Survey and Title made available separately, totaling another $1,000 or so.

Looking at their Cost Disclosure, they list their 'fees plus disbursement' as $990, so far so good.

http://imgur.com/6XmO4N7

Use of Trust account- $165 + bank cheques????!!!!

Any services performed outside the scope of works - $220 p/h???

I've called up to complain about the $1300, rather than $990 as quoted.

The person who issued the invoice will call me back tomorrow, but I just wanted to know if anyone else think the extra $300 is a plain rip off or could shed some light?

They advised that these charges where disclosed in the Cost Disclosure statement when I got the quote. The only Cost Disclosure statement I received was when the final invoice came.

They want to charge ME $165 to deposit my money into their account??? There shouldn't be any additional professional services other than what's quoted as they should know what is involved. I own one block and I will subdivide the block into two titles both owned by me.

I'm also going to question what 'Plan supported by a survey' is too, given I already paid my surveyor his fees earlier.

Comments

  • +2

    yeah basically they are bunch of scammers. they take advantage of property boom where a lot people buy and need them, they increase the prices but services are bad

    • Not all of them are scammers, I've used some in the past and it went fine..

      But never used them before and they were referred to me by my surveyor.

  • +2

    Sounds like you have a strong enough case to stand your ground.

    The only thing I would suggest is to ring CAV tomorrow morning for some general advice regarding your rights in this situation. I have found them helpful in the past.

  • Thanks, just seems like a scam.

    The good thing is that while I would like my property subdivided asap, I can wait and even engage another conveyancer if need me.

    I don't believe I have signed any documents relating to their fees, but not 100% sure.

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