outstanding balance in service charges not paid by previous owner

mille100piedi

I purchased a property years ago. The vendor solicitor advised us that the management fees have been paid by the previous owner to the end of the year and I had to refund them. I sent a cheque and it was cashed by the previous owner
The management company every year request me to pay the outstanding balance because it seems that the previous owner didn't pay them. I keep telling them that they have to ask this to the previous owner since I have paid them when I purchased the property.
What I should do? Shouldn't the management company chasing the previous owner?

Marcusm

You should advise the solicitor who handled the sale. If he did not obtain evidence of payment but relied on the undertaking of the other side's solicitor then you will need to take action based on that undertaking.

mille100piedi

unfortunately my solicitor is not working anymore and in that office nobody else is taking care of the issue. I contacted the vendor solicitor and he told me that it was inappropriate to contact him

MarkAnthony

Very confused how the sale went though without the arrears being paid. We've told a couple of banks to go swing if they thought they were selling on repos without clearing the arrears.

I'd tell the firm that you were dealing with someone better get on board or you'll be hiring another solicitor and to expect a complaint to the Law Society. Vendor's solicitor is absolutely correct I'm afraid.

mille100piedi

A few months after the purchase I advise my solicitor and she sent an email to the vendor solicitor and to the management company requesting the management company to contact the vendor solicitor. But nothing has been done. I will write back to the office where my solicitor worked and hopefully somebody will take care of this.thanks for the advise