My partner and I have recently acquired a house in Hindhead. We have noticed several issues with the house which we consider were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the nature of searches that should have been conducted as part of conveyancing in Hindhead?
It is not clear from the question as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Hindhead. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated during the buying process are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a property owner fills in a questionnaire called a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information provided is misleading, you could possibly take legal action against the vendor for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Hindhead.
I just bought a property at auction in Hindhead. Conveyancing is needed. What happens now?
Now that you have legally committed yourself to purchase you will need to hire the services of a conveyancing lawyer soon as you now have a pending deadline in which to complete the transaction. All auction property will have an associated legal pack. This will likely include the copy title deeds, local authority and drainage searches. Where you are dealing with leasehold premises the legal papers may provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing paperwork specific to leasehold premises. You need to give this to your appointed conveyancing solicitor at the earliest opportunity. Do make sure that you have funds in place to complete the transaction on the set completion date.
I am purchasing a 4 bedroom semi-detached house in Hindhead. Our aim is to convert the garage to an office at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve investigations to see if these works are permitted?
Your conveyancer should review the deeds as conveyancing in Hindhead will sometimes reveal restrictions in the title deeds which prevent categories of alterations or necessitated the consent of another owner. Many additions need local authority planning consent and approval under the building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.
Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Hindhead solicitor - who is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Yorkshire BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Yorkshire BS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Hindhead surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
I purchased a semi-detached Victorian property in Hindhead. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and Alliance & Leicester . I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Hindhead and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also check the position with the conveyancing lawyer who carried out the work.
I'm converting the mortgage on my primary property to a BTL mortgage with TSB and intend to use the remaining equity as a deposit on further house. The location we are interested in is Hindhead. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two mortgage companies and tie in the conveyances?
Do use our comparison tool on this site to be sure that the conveyancers are approved by both banks. Assuming that they are the lawyer should be able to connect the two transactions but you should have a chat with you lawyer and communicate your expectations and requirements.
In my capacity as executor for the estate of my father I am selling a house in Monmouth but live in Hindhead. My solicitor (approximately 200 miles awayneeds me to execute a statutory declaration before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Hindhead to witness and place their company stamp on the document?
strictly speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are based in Hindhead