Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Billericay. Conveyancing is needed. What happens now?

Now that you are legally bound yourself to purchase you now have to find a conveyancing lawyer as a matter of urgency as you will have a pending deadline in which to complete the transaction. Every auction property will have a bespoke legal set of papers. This will likely include evidence of title and search results. Where you are dealing with leasehold property the conveyancing pack may contain a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing documentation specific to leasehold premises. You need to hand this to the solicitor instructed by you as soon as possible. Do make sure that your finances are in place to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Billericay. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender HSBC be concerned?

As your lender is HSBC your lawyer must comply with the formal requirements outlined in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for HSBC. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook contains minimum conditions for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to HSBC where a lease fails to meet these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to Billericay.

I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Billericay building society branch on various occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they would lend. My Billericay conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they would not lend in accordance with their published requirements. Who do I believe?

As long as the solicitor is on the bank approved list, she or he must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook conditions for the lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the lender to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.

The deeds to my property can not be found. The conveyancers who dealt with the conveyancing in Billericay 5 years ago have long since closed. What do I do?

In today’s world there are copies made of almost everything, and your lawyer should be aware precisely where to look for all the relevant documentation so you may buy or dispose of your property without any difficulty. Where copies can’t be found, your solicitor can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against future claims on your property.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Billericay is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?

Flying freeholds in Billericay are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Billericay you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Billericay may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

What does commercial conveyancing in Billericay cover?

Billericay conveyancing for business premises covers a broad range of guidance, provided by qualified solicitors, relating to business premises. By way of example, this area of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more usually, the assignment of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.

I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Billericay. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Billericay Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Does this lease have more than 90 years unexpired? On the whole the cost for major works are not included within maintenance charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Billericay ask leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for major works. Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability?