I've purchased a sub sale property and the transaction was completed on early of June 2012.

Beginning of this month when I make payment for the current month management charges, the JMB told me that there are outstanding charges which dated Aug 2010 and Jan 2011 from the previous owner. I've forwarded the statement to my SPA lawyer. He advised me to question back the JMB why they only chase back the outstanding charges by now. He even advised me to pay the outstanding charges to the JMB first then only he follow up with the previous owner.

However, the JMB provided me a letter dated 8th Dec 2011 which they sent to my lawyer regarding the outstanding charges. Apparently, my lawyer had overlooked or ignored the letter. So when I asked the lawyer why it become my responsibility to check on all this and to question the JMB. I thought all this should be lawyer's responsibility. The lawyer answered me that his responsibility is to ensure the sales & purchase transaction is smooth only. Since now the transaction already completed, he still willing to assist me to follow up with the previous owner

I think he mean he is kind enough to help me even though this is already non of his business.

So I'd like to know if it is the buyer or lawyer responsibility to ensure there is no outstanding charges before the transaction completed.