Debenhams Ottaway LLP

I was about to use their service to buy a house, and had to cancel the process in the middle. And notified them and everything was settled. Only 6 months after I started receiving emails from them to pay outstanding invoice and when asked why, they say because they charged me 450GBP for the environment search that they applied for during the process and later learned it costs more. Which is weird and unacceptable. How come they come they didn't know that before applying for the searches? and how come they assume I am okay to be charged more without telling me before hand? For this alone I wouldn't recommend them as this kinda of behavior feels like scam

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Karen Ann Harding

I would like to share with anyone who reads this review what I effectively wrote to our solicitor and her team we were tremendously lucky to have on our side at Debenhams Ottaway... In addition to yourself (Ruth Boulton), I would also like to share with you just how fantastic your colleagues Karen (Harding), Natalie (Clarke) and Lisa (Ambler) are. They really are an absolute credit to Debenhams Ottaway and the profession. We found Karen to be very friendly, responsive, professional and very good counsel for us as we struggled through a frustrating previous chain that all started in June last year. Not only did she quickly ready us for sale on our first buyer, but also readied us for our purchase on the first property as well as getting us pretty much ready for our sale with our second buyer after we lost our first one! Fast forward. Your firm along with the wider society went into lockdown. We then find a house that we think could be an amazing home for our family for the next 30 years, and we need to move quickly on it. The logistical challenges of multiple parties working on reduced staff capacity and often working from home, this could all have been a disaster! Firstly Ruth, we would like you to know how grateful we were that you were able to prepare your report so quickly and efficiently in very difficult circumstances. I would like to make a special mention for Natalie, who was our main contact throughout this immensely challenging time. Natalie has been simply incredible for us. She has always been available, communicative, professional, consultative and empathetic. She had to deal with so many difficulties generated by other parties in our chain. And Natalie has had to deal with us and what all this was doing to us! Natalie is the very definition of going above and beyond, she is a credit to the firm and to the profession. We are very lucky to have had her as our link! I’d also like to mention Lisa, with whom we had our main contact during Exchange and Completion. There was a very tight turnaround in between Exchange and Completion - magnified by the context of lockdown. Yet Lisa was very responsive and diligent with all that was involved with the Completion statement. Overall, I would urge anyone to choose this team at Debenhams Ottaway for buying/selling your home. It is critically important to have high quality, responsive, reliable and empathetic solicitors in your corner.

Solicitors tagged in
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Ruth Louise Boulton

Karen Ann Harding

We couldn’t have been happier with the service we received from Debenhams Ottaway. Our move wasn’t always straightforward, but we felt in very safe hands throughout. Everything was handled efficiently and communication was excellent from start to finish. We’re now happily settled into our new home and incredibly grateful for all the help in getting us here. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

I have used Nigel for several property transactions and have always been extremely happy with the service provided. He is highly experienced, approachable and always willing to discuss any concerns, explain the options clearly and offer practical advice. His reassurance makes what can sometimes be a stressful process much easier. Amanda is equally excellent. She is responsible, responsive and always making sure everything is in place at the right time. I have complete confidence in both Nigel and Amanda and would happily use them again for any future property transaction.

Karen and Lisa have been fantastic to deal with selling my parents retirement flat in Borehamwood, it was a very emotional and sad time for the family as both parents are in a care home with Dementia, and Karen was so kind and thoughtful through the whole process. Can not recommend Debenhams Ottaway highly enough

I've been using this company for many years even when they were Claytons and as companies go through different ownerships, it's always good to feel valued and get great service.

We were delighted with the service we received from Karen Harding and her team at Debenhams Ottaway during the recent sale of our family home. All aspects of the transaction were dealt with in a prompt, efficient and thoroughly professional manner. Selling a house is of course extremely stressful but Karen's hard work and support certainly lightened the load for us. I have no hesitation in recommending the services of Debenhams Ottaway.