What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Dollis Hill? What am I being asked for?

Dollis Hill conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers throughout the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client in order to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to produce two forms of certified ID; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill less than 3 months old).

Confirmation of the origin of funds is also required in accordance with the money laundering statutes as solicitors are obliged to check that the monies you are utilising to purchase a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase amount where you are a cash purchaser) has come from legitimate source (such as employment savings) and is not the fruits of criminal activity.

Me and my partner are purchasing a house in Dollis Hill. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a solicitor? At some point we will need to deposit funds into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our monies?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Dollis Hill. I have a mortgage agreed with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.

I am due to exchange contracts on my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in May 2008, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, HSBC are being a right pain. The Dollis Hill solicitor who is on the HSBC conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but HSBC are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do HSBC have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that HSBC have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why HSBC may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

My partner and I are downsizing from our house in Dollis Hill and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Dollis Hill lawyer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a factory type conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Dollis Hill. We have lived in Dollis Hill for six years we know that this is a non issue. Should we get in touch with our local Authority to get clarification need.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor already. Are they able to advise? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same sickness)

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one close by in Dollis Hill I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, however it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Dollis Hill in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a home loan the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this.

Me and my wife have recently had an offer accepted on our 1st house in Dollis Hill, and are about to get solicitors lined up. I have made use of the numerous comparison tools and the results are from all across the country. Is it important to have a Dollis Hill conveyancing practitioner local to the potential new home? I am willing to do everything electronically, but I guess at some stage we will need to attend the solicitor's office to sign papers?

The property lawyer does not have to be in Dollis Hill, but choosing local means that you have the option to visit their offices if required, by way of example, if a signature is needed urgently. Also, a Dollis Hill solicitor have established relationships with local agents and (if the vendor has instructed a local lawyer) with them, which should help keep things moving faster.