Me and my fiance are buying a 2 bedroom flat in Epping with a mortgage. We like our Epping solicitor, but the bank advise she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or retain our Epping conveyancing practitioner as well as pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; can we not require that the lender use our Epping solicitor ?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Epping conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Do the conveyancing solicitors listed on your site conduct conveyancing in Epping by way of an attended exchange?
We do have a number of conveyancing experts carrying out attended exchanges. Please call us to secure a costs illustration and details as to availability.
A friend informed me that in purchasing a property in Epping there could be various restrictions prohibiting external alterations to the property. Is this right?
We are aware of a number of properties in Epping which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Epping should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Epping. I have a mortgage offer with Clydesdale. 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 have 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 Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.
Our offer on a house in Epping has been accepted, the owners do nevertheless have a dependent purchase. The sellers have offered on somewhere, but it’s not yet agreed to, and have viewings of other flats in the pipeline. I have instructed a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Epping. What should be my next step? When should I get the mortgage application with Santander going?
It is understandable to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket prematurely (mortgage application is in the region of one thousand pounds, then valuation, Epping conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you should check that your conveyancer is on the Santander approved list. As to the subsequent steps this very much dictated by the specifics of your transaction, attraction to the property and on the state of the market. During a buoyant market the majority of buyers would apply for the mortgage with Santander and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their property lawyer to proceed with searches.
I have recentlybecome aware that Arc property Solicitors have closed. They carried out my conveyancing in Epping for a purchase of a leasehold flat 9 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is in my name in the name of the previous owner?
The quickest way to see if the premises is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Epping conveyancing specialists.
I opted to have a survey done on a house in Epping ahead of appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not grant a mortgage on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you e-mail us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Epping. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Epping especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Epping.