My partner and I have just purchased a property in Cholsey. We have noticed several issues with the property which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been carried out for conveyancing in Cholsey?

The query is not clear as to the nature of the problems and if they are specific to conveyancing in Cholsey. Conveyancing searches and investigations initiated as part of the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a property owner answers a questionnaire known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. answers proves to be incorrect, 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 Cholsey.

At what point does exchange of contracts take place for residential conveyancing in Cholsey and am I required to attend the solicitors office?

If you are in close proximity to our conveyancing solicitors in Cholsey you are welcome to come in to sign documents. That being said, the law practices we recommend provide countrywide coverage for conveyancing and provide as equally detailed and professional a job for you when dealing with you digitally. The signing of the contract is not the critical part. Signing on the dotted line is necessary for the conveyancer to officially exchange at the appropriate time, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The exchange process is is usually a five minute process, although where a long "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Cholsey)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

I'm buying a new build house in Cholsey with the aid of help to buy. The sellers would not reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The estate agent suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about the deal as it could put at risk my loan with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Cholsey from the point of view of expediting the sale process?

• Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Cholsey can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information needed by the purchasers’ solicitors.
If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s permission? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Cholsey leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord approving such works. Should you fail to have the approvals in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your solicitor in advance. The majority of freeholders or Management Companies in Cholsey levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should discover the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most usual cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in Cholsey. If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should ensure that you have the original share document. Organising a re-issued share certificate is often a lengthy process and delays many a Cholsey home move. Where a new share is needed, do contact the company officers or managing agents (where applicable) for this sooner rather than later.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Cholsey - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

You should want to find out as much as you can regarding the company managing the building as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are often at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily issues like the tidiness of the common parts. Ask prospective neighbours what they think of their service. Finally, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically how they are spending the funds. In the main the cost for major works tend not to be incorporated into the service charges, although a few managing agents in Cholsey obliged leasehold owners to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against larger works. Who is in charge of the building?

My wife and I have AIP from HSBC Bank who suggested we could borrow up to £117k. When do we need to appoint a solicitor for conveyancing? Cholsey is where we plan to move to.

You can instruct a lawyer now and ask them to open a file for you. This will enable: 1) the selling agent to issue a Sales Memorandum to the relevant parties 2) the seller’s conveyancing practitioner to send out the draft paperwork. That being said, do not ask your solicitor to order searches until you have your valuation report via HSBC Bank and you are happy to proceed.