We're in Fawley, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is , and our lawyer is on the conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

We are getting the release of further funds on our home loan from as we wish to carry out alterations to our house in Fawley. Are we obliged to appoint a local Fawley solicitor on the conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?

do not ordinarily appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the list.

I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have called my Fawley building society branch on a couple of occasions and was informed it wasn't a problem and they will lend. My Fawley conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called to say that they will not lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I have no idea who is right.

As long as the is on the bank approved list, she or he must follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions for the bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the bank will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.

Our sealed bid on a house in Fawley has been accepted, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on a property, however it’s not yet tied up, and are looking at other flats in the pipeline. I have chosen a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Fawley. What should be my next step? At what point do I apply for the mortgage with ?

It is understandable to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur expenses prematurely (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then valuation, Fawley conveyancing search fees, etc). The first thing to do is ensure that your is on the conveyancing panel. As to the subsequent steps this very much depends on the uniqueness of your case, attraction to the property and on the state of the market. During a buoyant market the majority of purchasers would apply for the mortgage with and pay for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they ask their to press on with the conveyancing in Fawley.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Fawley?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Fawley. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Fawley is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Fawley are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Fawley you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Fawley may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

I have recently realised that I have 68 years remaining on my lease in Fawley. I am keen to get lease extension but my landlord is absent. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the magistrate. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to track down the lessor. For most situations a specialist should be helpful to conduct investigations and to produce an expert document which can be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Fawley.

Fawley Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

What prohibitions exist in the Fawley Lease? For most Fawley leaseholds the outlay for major works tend not to be included within service charges, albeit that some managing agents in Fawley ask tenants to contribute towards a reserve fund and this is used to offset against major repairs or maintenance. Best to be warned whether redecorating or some other major work is anticipated to be shared between the leasehold owners and will materially increase the the service fees or necessitate a one off payment.