Will our solicitor be making enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Devon.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for conveyancers dealing with homes in Devon. Some people will acquire a house in Devon, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Conveyancers are not qualified to impart advice on flood risk, however there are a various searches that may be undertaken by the buyer or by their solicitors which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Devon. The standard property information forms supplied to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a standard question of the owner to determine if the property has ever been flooded. In the event that flooding has previously occurred which is not disclosed by the seller, then a purchaser may bring a claim for damages as a result of such an incorrect answer. A purchaser’s solicitors may also order an environmental search. This should indicate if there is any known flood risk. If so, additional investigations will need to be conducted.

Just bought a semi-detached house in Devon , how long will it take for the Land Registry to register the transfer to my name? My Devon conveyancing solicitor works at snail pace, so I want to be certain the post completion formalities are addressed.

There is nothing unique about conveyancing in Devon registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can differ according to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry communicate with any interested parties. As of today approximately three quarters of submission are fully addressed in less than three weeks but some can be subject to longer hold-ups. Registration occurs once the buyer is living at the property thus an expedited registration is not always an essential issue yet if there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your conveyancer should contact the land registry and explain the circumstances.

What makes your site different to alternative online quote calculators when it comes to conveyancing in Devon?

At this site receive a conveyancing costs illustration via a Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer that appreciates the issues for your conveyancing in Devon. Unlike many estate agents and many comparison sites we do not operate kick-back deals with solicitors. A large number of agents and online brokers 'recommend' solicitors that pays the most commission, rather than the best value conveyancing in Devon

I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for remortgage conveyancing in Devon. I have chance upon a site which looks to be the perfect offering If it is possible to get all the legals done via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be concerned? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I am employed by a reputable estate agent office in Devon where we have experienced a few leasehold sales jeopardised as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have received inconsistent advice from local Devon conveyancing firms. Can you clarify whether the owner of a flat can initiate the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

Provided that the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the sale.

An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

Devon Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Where a Devon lease has no more than eighty years it will affect the salability of the property. It is worth checking with your bank that they are willing to go ahead with the loan given the lease term. A short lease means that you will most likely need a lease extension sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of what this will be. Remember, in most cases you will be be obliged to have been the owner of the residence for 24 months before you are eligible to extend the lease. It would be sensible to find out if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in Devon. If you love the propertyin Devon however your cat can’t move with you then you have a very difficult compromise. The prefered form of lease arrangement is where the freehold title is owned by the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees enjoy control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is frequently employed where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.