Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a searchable register to list solicitors on the Darlington Building Society conveyancing panel for instance in Eastbourne?
Lexsure has not been advised of any intention on the part of the BSA to develop such a tool.
We are buying a end of terrace house in Eastbourne. Our aim is to carry out a loft conversion at the property.Will legal due diligence on the property include enquiries to see if these works are permitted?
Your conveyancer will check the deeds as conveyancing in Eastbourne can sometimes reveal restrictions in the title documents which restrict certain alterations or necessitated the consent of another owner. Certain works call for local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.
I'm spending time looking at apartments in Eastbourne and I am now considering a potential offer. Should I already have a solicitor in place at this stage? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Bank of Ireland.
You should start requesting conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the selling agent. Given that you are getting a mortgage with Bank of Ireland, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel.
I am due to exchange contracts on my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in November 2007, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, TSB are being a right pain. The Eastbourne solicitor who is on the TSB conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but TSB are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do TSB have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that TSB have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why TSB 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.
How does conveyancing in Eastbourne differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Eastbourne contact us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because builders in Eastbourne typically buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Eastbourne or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Eastbourne before appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. Our surveyor has said that some banks may not give a loan on a flying freehold premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different instructions for example to Halifax. If you call us we can investigate further via the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Eastbourne. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Eastbourne especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Eastbourne.
We have selected a Eastbourne conveyancing solicitor for our house purchase (novice purchasers) and have noticed in the engagement letter that they are not overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority. Should I be worried or is that the norm with lawyer?
We can't see why they should be. Most conveyancer don't lend money. You should check that they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who dictate specific laws covering monies sitting in their bank.