Optima Legal Services Limited

Prior to engaging optima we asked if they could assist in transferring a help to buy loan from an ex partner to a new partner. They said that this was possible and set out a list of additional fees for varying aspects of this that would not be covered by the mortgage provider. This included deeds of postponement, and deeds if assension.
Seven weeks later and after varying issues with their online portal not accepting ID documents, they have said that they cannot provide the above as the name on the help to buy loan are not the same as those on the application and that they cannot process the case any further.

Documents were lost when sending them in the post, it took 2 weeks calling numerous times for someone to finally ‘investigate’ the missing documents, an hour later the documents had miraculously been found.
Currently awaiting a completion date for a transfer of equity case, was promised it’d be in 48 hours, then it would be in 2-3 days and now we have been told the redemption statement has a missing ‘clause’ even though it was checked and approved last week … one person from Optima Legal told us to chase Halifax who they requested the statement from to get it quicker, we called later that day for someone else to tell us they don’t see how that would help as it is only a 2 hour turn around for Halifax to send them an updated statement??
Can never speak to a case handler as they either “don’t start until 9am” “no one is in who can help as it’s Friday” or “he has already gone home” all excuses we have had over this past week. We actually got a phone call from a case handler, picked up after 2 rings and then the phone was put down. Then a message on the portal to say ‘we have tried to contact you’ the number they call from is automated so you cannot call back.
There is a house purchase that is on the brink of falling through as the exchange of contract date has passed and we are no closer to getting a completion date for the transfer of equity to enable the exchange to take place. Really disappointing, especially as Halifax recommended.

Avoid Optima and Avoid L&C (mortgage broker) who processed our re-mortgage using these guys, forcing us to deal with them.

They have cost us many hours and £100s by simply not doing their job, giving incorrect advice, and forcing us to chase third parties for no reason.

Remortgage is now taking that long that I face losing the house. The stress and upset they have caused is revolting. Appointed by Halifax avoid them at all costs. How they haven't been made accountable yet is beyond me.

Overall, the service I received for my remortgage was good. Some telephone advisors seemed a bit clueless, but most understood the framework and timelines. My only real gripe is that Optima's policy to have a redemption statement with no ERC on it, when the one they received a few days prior said deduct the fee if it doesn't apply, meant I paid an extra £100+ in interest charges. Other than that, the service was good.