Recourse with Bond Attorneys

[crudler]

Hi,

Bought a new place, and I am in the middle of a dispute with my bond attorneys.
Essentially they have dragged their heels for the last 2 weeks, delaying lodging, and as I result I have had to incur occupational interest. Everyone else was ready ages ago (conveyancers, bond cancellations attorneys)

They reasons for the delay was
1 - insistence of an original conveyancer letter (in the midst of a postal / docex strike) , all other attorneys accept electronic (so this added a week)
2 - an extra week to process, do more credit cheques, verification from SA homeloans etc

All this could have been wrapped up in one day, no problem. These guys were also terrible communicators, and we had to every second day ask "Can we lodge yet" etc etc, and get no response
.

So my question is, I am about to get whacked with a 20K bill from these guys, can I deduct the occupational rent since I see it as purely their fault.

 

[Pitbull]

Hi,

Bought a new place, and I am in the middle of a dispute with my bond attorneys.
Essentially they have dragged their heels for the last 2 weeks, delaying lodging, and as I result I have had to incur occupational interest. Everyone else was ready ages ago (conveyancers, bond cancellations attorneys)

They reasons for the delay was
1 - insistence of an original conveyancer letter (in the midst of a postal / docex strike) , all other attorneys accept electronic (so this added a week)
2 - an extra week to process, do more credit cheques, verification from SA homeloans etc

All this could have been wrapped up in one day, no problem. These guys were also terrible communicators, and we had to every second day ask "Can we lodge yet" etc etc, and get no response
.

So my question is, I am about to get whacked with a 20K bill from these guys, can I deduct the occupational rent since I see it as purely their fault.

Name and shame?

 

[hellfire]

Hi,

Bought a new place, and I am in the middle of a dispute with my bond attorneys.
Essentially they have dragged their heels for the last 2 weeks, delaying lodging, and as I result I have had to incur occupational interest. Everyone else was ready ages ago (conveyancers, bond cancellations attorneys)

They reasons for the delay was
1 - insistence of an original conveyancer letter (in the midst of a postal / docex strike) , all other attorneys accept electronic (so this added a week)
2 - an extra week to process, do more credit cheques, verification from SA homeloans etc

All this could have been wrapped up in one day, no problem. These guys were also terrible communicators, and we had to every second day ask "Can we lodge yet" etc etc, and get no response
.

So my question is, I am about to get whacked with a 20K bill from these guys, can I deduct the occupational rent since I see it as purely their fault.

You can't just deduct, unfortunately.
Try negotiate with them to reduce their fees. If they won't your only legal recourse is to sue them.