We are purchasing our first home. Our solicitor has calledto check if we wish to take out extra conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's needed for conveyancing in Barons Court

The extent of Barons Court conveyancing searches depends primarily on the premises, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your familiarity of the region and risks, your overall appetite to risk. What matters is that you properly appreciate what information the searches could supply. You may then make a decision if you personally think you need that information. If uncertain, ask your lawyer to guide you.

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Barons Court? What am I being asked for?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering regulations require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the ID of the potential client they are dealing with prior to agreeing to accepting their conveyancing business. The Terms of Engagement that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with the CML Lenders Handbook requirements last updated on 1st December 2014. If you refuse to supply ID verification documents, your solicitor would not be able to act for you.

I am about to put an offer on a leasehold flat in Barons Court. The property agents advise that it is standard for flats in Barons Court to have less than 75 years remaining. I am taking out a loan with Tesco Bank. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 69 years left.

Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 8/5/2024 the requirements read as follows :

I'm buying a new build house in Barons Court with a mortgage from Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. The builders would not reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative told me not reveal to my solicitor about this deal as it will impact my loan with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Should I use a Barons Court conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can handle the legal formalities however they are based approximately 350miles away.

The benefit of a local Barons Court conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to execute paperwork, present your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local insight which is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and on the whole were content that should trump using an unknown Barons Court conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being Barons Court based.