As someone unfamiliar with conveyancing in Millwall what’s the number one tip you can impart concerning the legal transfer of property in Millwall

You may not hear this from too many lawyers but conveyancing in Millwall and elsewhere in England and Wales is an adversarial process. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there exists plenty of opportunity for conflict between you and other parties involved in the legal transfer of property. For instance, the vendor, estate agent and on occasion a lender. Selecting a solicitor for your conveyancing in Millwall an important selection as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY party in the process whose interest is to look after your legal interests and to protect you.

On occasion a third party with a vested interest may attempt to sway you that you should follow their advice. For example, the selling agent may claim to be assisting by suggesting your lawyer is wrong. Or your financial adviser may tell you to do take action that is contrary to your conveyancers advice. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

What will a local search reveal concerning the house we're buying in Millwall?

Millwall conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for example Onsearch The local search is essential in every Millwall conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search will reveal data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable 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 thirteen subject headings.

I bought my house on 6 October and my personal details is yet to be on the land registry website. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in Millwall said it should be concluded in a couple of weeks. Are transfers in Millwall uniquely lengthy to register?

There is nothing unique when it comes to conveyancing in Millwall registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can adjust depending on who lodges the application, whether there are errors and if the Land registry have to notify any other persons or bodies. At present roughly three quarters of submission are fully addressed in less than three weeks but some can be subject to protracted hold-ups. Registration is effected after the new owner has moved in to the premises therefore registration formalities is not typically top priority yet where it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your lawyers must communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for the application to be prioritised.

How does conveyancing in Millwall differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Millwall come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because builders in Millwall typically purchase the land, 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 conveyancers 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 Millwall or who has acted in the same development.

Is planning permission needed to convert a single dwelling into multiple appartments in Millwall? This has taken place to a house next door to my home in Millwall and was not aware of the conversion until after the works were complete.

Planning Permission yes. Building Reg Approval yes.