Will my conveyancer be making enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Easthampstead.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers dealing with homes in Easthampstead. Plenty of people will purchase a house in Easthampstead, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Lawyers are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, but there are a numerous checks that may be undertaken by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which can figure out the risks in Easthampstead. The standard completed inquiry forms given to a purchaser’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a usual question of the owner to discover if the premises has historically flooded. If the property has been flooded in past which is not revealed by the vendor, then a purchaser may bring a claim for damages stemming from an incorrect reply. A buyer’s solicitors should also carry out an enviro search. This will higlight whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations will need to be carried out.

I purchased a renovated Edwardian property in Easthampstead. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and TSB. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Easthampstead and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in Easthampstead ahead of retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor has said that some banks may not give a mortgage on this type of property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Easthampstead. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Easthampstead to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

Am I right to be concerned about brokers that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a nationwide conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Easthampstead conveyancing practice?

As is the case with many professional services, often input from relatives can be most helpful. But there are lots of players in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, financial adviser and banks might all suggest lawyers to select. Sometimes the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but sometimes there behind the scenes financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to appoint your own conveyancer. You need to be aware that most banks have an approved list of solicitors you have to use for the mortgage aspect of your house move.

I own a leasehold flat in Easthampstead. Conveyancing and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing solicitor in Easthampstead who previously acted has long since retired. Any advice?

First make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Easthampstead conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

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

Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability? What is the service charge and ground rent on the apartment?