PLS Solicitors
View company profile →
AVOID AVOID AVOID
The process of purchasing my property began in December 2023 and was not completed until August 2024. This protracted and drawn out process was one of the most stressful periods I have experienced and made all the worse by the apparent incompetence and appalling communication of those I dealt with. On only two occasions in over eight months did I speak with anyone over the telephone. I even emailed my concerns to MDs and Directors and none ever contacted me, I was ignored. Neither myself, nor the seller were in a chain at any point throughout the process with no major issues with regards to the property, as far as I am aware, which only fuelled frustration. My mortgage offer had to be extended and even then the team did not meet the new deadline, even though I was initially assured by my solicitor that they foresaw no issues in completing within the original deadline. Having missed the extension deadline, I then had to re-apply for my mortgage. The need for a Deed of Variation was raised by my solicitor in January 2024, however it was not until my Mortgage Broker contacted her via phone in May 2024 that evidence of this was provided to the seller’s solicitor. This lengthened the process considerably. In June 2024, I received an automated email with details of a new Case Handler with no explanation provided. The lack of continuity only meant the process continued to be drawn out. At one point a response to an enquiry was sent to the incorrect recipient at the incorrect company, resulting in further delay and compromising the sharing of personal information. GDPR, anyone? I received an email apology from a junior member of the team which felt insincere and had probably been edited from a prewritten or AI template. At the point of completion I received my second phone call in eight months from my solicitor to tell me that I would need to transfer additional funds, which had not been included in the completion document, of course they blamed the seller’s solicitor. The blame game was played throughout the process, which I was never interested in. The service was very poor and lacked a personalised, human element, with all communication taking place via email rather than any contact via phone. The app was not fit for purpose, it often did not update and at no point notified me when there was a new document that needed my attention. In order to check for notifications, I had to log out and log back in. Thank goodness I had my Help To Buy ISA, I cannot begin to think what I would have been charged for this appalling service without it. It has taken me a long time to write this review due to the upset and injury that has been left working with PLS Solicitors. My words may seem harsh and I may come across as a keyboard warrior, but they are just the same, with everything done via email and blame continually being focused elsewhere. To a solicitor mine was just another purchase, another day at the office, but buying my first property was life changing to me and I would have appreciated the road to achieving it being a lot less bumpy with a personal touch.