Property problems: House sale involved likely conflict of interest

lawyer and asked her to take action against the vendor.

She refused, stating that the vendor was one of her best clients. I also found out that my lawyer was the wife of my real estate agent. As a result of the defects in the house, my family and I ended up moving back to England. What can I do?

A. There are several distinct legal issues here: the responsibilities of vendors and purchasers, the duties of real estate agents and the responsibilities of lawyers.

When you are buying a house the principle of caveat emptor, "let the buyer beware", still applies. It is the purchaser's responsibility to check that the property is in good order and condition.

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