This question may be naive but I am new to the home buying as FTB of a ground floor flat in Earls Court. Do I collect the keys to the property on completion from my lawyer? If this is the case, I will instruct a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Earls Court?
On the day of completion you do not need to attend the conveyancers office in Earls Court. Your solicitors will transfer the purchase money to the vendor’s lawyers, and once they have received this, you will be able to receive the keys from the property Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this occurs early afternoon.
We had selected solicitors located in Earls Court on the Kent Reliance solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me an additional charge for the legal aspects of the Kent Reliance mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Kent Reliance?
Unfortunately, so long as it is in their Terms of Engagement or Quote then yes your conveyancer may charge a fee for this. The charge is not dictated by Kent Reliance but by your Earls Court conveyancing practitioner. Numerous firms on the Kent Reliance panel will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Earls Court. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. Ordinarily complaints to a lender are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
Will commercial conveyancing searches disclose proposed roadworks that could affect a commercial property in Earls Court?
Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Earls Court will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers invest in researching accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Earls Court. The search result provides definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Earls Court.
For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Earls Court it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been addressed adequately could cause delays to Earls Court commercial conveyancing deals as well as pose a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Earls Court.
How does conveyancing in Earls Court differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Earls Court contact us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Earls Court usually acquire the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Earls Court or who has acted in the same development.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Earls Court for my home move. Can I review a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
You may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may recorded telephone calls for training requirements.
I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Earls Court. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?
Most houses in Earls Court are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Earls Court in which case you should be shopping around for a Earls Court conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor will advise you fully on all the issues.