I am expecting a mortgage with Halifax. My intention is to employ the services of a Licensed Conveyancer in Bournemouth. Does the Halifax Solicitor panel include conveyancers regulated by the CLC?

The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

At what point will exchange of contracts occur in domestic conveyancing in Bournemouth and do I need to attend the lawyers office?

If you are near to one of the conveyancing solicitors in Bournemouth you are welcome to come in to sign the paperwork. However, the lender approved solicitors we recommend offer a nationwide conveyancing service and provide just as diligent and professional a job for you when communicating with you electronically. The executing of the contract is not the point of no return. Signing on the dotted line simply enables the firm to exchange contracts when the time is right, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The exchange process is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where a lengthy "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Bournemouth)to be in the office at the appropriate time.

I am helping my niece sell her property in Bournemouth. Does the conveyancing solicitor commission the EPC or it is for me to coordinate?

After the demise of Home Packs, energy performance certificates was retained a required part of moving house. An EPC needs to be commissioned before the property is marketed. This is not something that conveyancers normally organise. Where you are using a Bournemouth conveyancing solicitor they may be willing to arrange energy performance certificates due to their relationships with reputable Bournemouth assessors

My aunt advised me that in buying a property in Bournemouth there could be various restrictions affecting the ability to carry out external alterations to the property. Is this right?

We are aware of a number of properties in Bournemouth which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Bournemouth should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Bournemouth. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender RBS be concerned?

As you are obtaining a mortgage with RBS your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for RBS. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook sets out minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to RBS where a lease does not meet these conditions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Bournemouth.

I am buying a new build apartment in Bournemouth. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Bournemouth

Please supply a car parking plan. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?

I have recently realised that I have Seventy years remaining on my lease in Bournemouth. I am keen to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What should I do?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to track down the landlord. On the whole an enquiry agent may be useful to try and locate and prepare a report which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a conveyancer both on investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Bournemouth.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Bournemouth - A selection of Questions you should consider before buying

You will want to discover as much as possible concerning the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are often at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to practical issues like the upkeep of the communal areas. Enquire of other people what they think of their management. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that the service charges are due to the managing agents and precisely how they are spending that money. It is important to be aware if changing the roof or some other significant cost is pending that will be shared by the tenants and will materially increase the the service costs or result in a one time invoice. Is the freehold owned jointly by the tenants?