What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Balham? Why is this being asked of me?

Balham conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers throughout the UK have a duty under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to provide two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (usually a Utility Bill no more than three months).

Evidence of the origin of funds is also required under the money laundering statutes as conveyancers are required to ensure that the monies you are using to purchase a property (be it the exchange deposit or the full purchase monies if you are a cash purchaser) has originated from legitimate source (such as employment savings) and is not the fruits of criminal behaviour.

I am the only beneficiary of my late father’s estate with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in Balham. The Balham property was put into my name in December. I want to move. I understand that there is a CML 6 month 'rule', which means that my proprietorship could be treated the same way as if I'd bought the house in December. Do I have to wait 6 months to sell?

The CML handbook obliges solicitors to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you could be caught by that. Most lenders would take a practical view as this provision is primarily there to identify subsales or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.

We were going to get a DIP from Barclays this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Barclays recommend any Balham solicitors on the Barclays conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?

You will need to appoint Balham solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Barclays conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Barclays through the process.

TSB have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a property in Balham has been agreed to, what are the next steps?

The estate agent will wish to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s approved list). Telephone TSB or your financial adviser and finish off any outstanding documentation. TSB will sellect a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or vendor to arrange an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a week to get a mortgage offer. TSB will issue the offer to you and your conveyancing practitioners. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Balham.

What does a local search reveal concerning the house I am buying in Balham?

Balham conveyancing often starts with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company for instance Xpress Legal The local search is essential in every Balham conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any unpleasant once you have moved into your property. 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 thirteen topic headings.

I used Stirling Law a few years past for my conveyancing in Balham. Now, I need my files however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Balham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

How does conveyancing in Balham differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Balham contact us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because builders in Balham typically acquire 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Balham or who has acted in the same development.