Giffen Couch & Archer
Bridge House, Bridge St, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1EB, United Kingdom
4.2
28 reviews
8 comments
W88M+GH Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom
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Monday: 9–17
Tuesday: 9–17
Wedneasday: 9–17
Thursday: 9–17
Friday: 9–17
Saturday: Close
Sunday: Close
Tuesday: 9–17
Wedneasday: 9–17
Thursday: 9–17
Friday: 9–17
Saturday: Close
Sunday: Close
Have to say simply the worst solicitor I have ever encountered. To begin with, they demanded additional Anti Money Laundering (AML) checks be carried out on me, despite my solicitor and estate agent carrying out these checks and being perfectly satisfied with the results. Giffen, Couch and Archers reason behind this was because they wanted to ensure that I was who I said I was to ensure the purchase money went to me! (That was very kind of them but Giffen, Couch and Archer have to send the money to my solicitor not me directly! so it's my solicitors problem to carry out AML checks to ensure I was the correct person) this was explained to Giffen, Couch and Archer however they refused to progress the sale until this was carried out. This cost me an additional £70 as Giffen, Couch and Archer demanded I had to see a solicitor in person (my solicitor was in Wales and I live in Scotland) so I had to see an independent solicitor. This delayed the whole sale and almost lost their client the purchase as the chain almost fell through due to this delay
Bad communication with their client! Giffen, Couch and Archer never informed their client that they had received rent money upon their purchase (their client was purchasing a property from me with a tenant in place) As their client had no idea that they had the first month's rent. The client ended hounding me for the rent. Giffen, Couch and Archer were 100% certain they hadn't received the money until my solicitor finally sent back billing info showing they had the first month's rent. This process took one month during which I was harassed by their client and my ex tenant (who had to pay an additional months rent) finally Giffen, Couch and Archer admitted they had the first month's rent and the matter was resolved. However no apology from them.
Giffen, Couch and Archer also demanded that deposit money be held and stated, specifically, that they would release the money once I had provided proof that the deposit money was held in a secure account. This was provided within 4 days of the sale being complete (4th June 2019) (this was a last min demand by Giffen, Couch and Archer). After chasing Giffen, Couch and Archer for the withheld money to be released and sent to me as per the agreement Giffen, Couch and Archer changed their terms! They now decided not to release the money until the deposit monies had changed name from me to the new client (this is normally done by the purchaser as they have to prove ownership through land registry deeds which can take several weeks to sort out)
Today is now 1st July and finally Giffen, Couch and Archer have released the money. The name on the deposit scheme was changed to the new owner by us over a week ago but the delay was caused by Giffen, Couch and Archer saying they will transfer the money when they get the time to do so! (No rush hey! It's not your money!) Giffen, Couch and Archer released the money via BACS transfer instead of CHAPS so this means I'll have to wait a further 5-7 days until the funds are received by my solicitor. The purchase funds were sent by CHAPS so Giffen, Couch and Archer have the ability for faster payments, they just chose to use a slower payment.
All in all simply the worst solicitor I have ever dealt with, and I've dealt with many!
If Giffen, Couch and Archer want to challenge any part of this story I fully invite them to provide email proof that none of this is true.
Was a shame GCA was shut down due to the company owning them flouting the law, what a shame this happened.