I am buying a property mortgage free in Great Stanmore. I have lived for the previous 15 years in Great Stanmore. Conveyancing searches are exorbitant. Given that I know the area and road intimately must I have all the conveyancing searches?

If you not getting a home loan, then the vast majority of the Great Stanmore conveyancing searches are at your discretion. Your lawyer will ’encourage you, no-doubt strongly, that you should have searches completed, but she is duty bound to do this. One thing to consider; if you are likely to sell the house one day, it may be of importance to your future purchaser what the searches determine. Sometimes properties with no practical issues can still show up adverse search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Great Stanmore should provide you some sensible advice here.

I own a freehold property in Great Stanmore but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Great Stanmore and has limited impact for conveyancing in Great Stanmore but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be extinguished.

I have been told that property searches are the number one reason for stalling in Great Stanmore conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Great Stanmore.

How does conveyancing in Great Stanmore differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Great Stanmore approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Great Stanmore usually acquire 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Great Stanmore or who has acted in the same development.

I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing lawyer in Great Stanmore for my house move. Can I see a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?

Members of the public can find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors record, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes recorded call for training purposes.