We are purchasing a 1 bedroom flat in Copse Hill with a mortgage. We have a Copse Hill lawyer, but the lender advise he's not on their "panel". It seems we have no option but to select one of the lender panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Copse Hill lawyer as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. This feels very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Copse Hill conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Finally the sale completed on my house in Copse Hill last June but the buyer keeps SMS messaging me complaining that their lawyer needs to hear from myconveyancer. What are the post completion sale formalities following completion?
Post completion of your disposal your solicitor should send the transfer documentation and all additional paperwork to the purchaser's lawyers. Where appropriate, your conveyancer should also send confirmation that the legal charge in favour of the lender has been repaid to the purchasers lawyers. There is unlikely to be post completion requirements unique to conveyancing in Copse Hill.
We are purchasing a end of terrace house in Copse Hill. We would like to an extension at the rear at the house.Will the conveyancing process include enquiries to ascertain if these alterations are allowed?
Your conveyancer will check the registered title as conveyancing in Copse Hill will on occasion identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict categories of alterations or require the consent of another owner. Many additions need local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.
We had selected conveyancers located in Copse Hill on the Clydesdale solicitor approved list. They are now charging me an additional amount for the legal aspects of the Clydesdale mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Clydesdale?
Unfortunately, so long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your property lawyer is entitled to charge a fee for this. This charge is not dictated by Clydesdale but by your Copse Hill solicitor. Plenty of firms on the Clydesdale panel will quote ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but many practices include it on their overall fee.
My wife and I are at the point of looking at apartments in Copse Hill and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I will be getting a home loan with UBS.
You should start requesting conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the selling agent. Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with UBS, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the UBS conveyancing panel.
What can a local search reveal regarding the house my wife and I purchasing in Copse Hill?
Copse Hill conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search organisations such as PSG The local search plays a central role in many a Copse Hill conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty once you have moved into your new home. The search will provide data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 topic areas.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Copse Hill prior to instructing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies tend not give a loan on this type of property.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further with the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Copse Hill. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Copse Hill especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Copse Hill.