I am buying a leasehold flat in Halstead. My Conveyancer has never been on on the mortgage company conveyancing list. Is it possible for me to use my Halstead conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the bank panel?

One must instruct a solicitor to complete the formalities when you take out a mortgage to buy your property. The conveyancing practitioner will carry out all the relevant investigations on the property, make sure that you’re registered as proprietor and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is dealt with. One may instruct a Halstead lawyer of your choosing. Nevertheless, where the solicitor selected is not on the mortgage company approved list additional costs will arise as separate legal representation will be required by them. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so where your conveyancer has not historically applied for membership they should take the chance to apply.

I purchased a freehold residence in Halstead yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Halstead and has limited impact for conveyancing in Halstead 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 date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new 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 post 2037 is to be extinguished.

Should commercial conveyancing searches disclose proposed roadworks that may affect a commercial site in Halstead?

Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Halstead will order a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers expend in sourcing accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Halstead. The search result sets out definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Halstead.

For every commercial conveyancing transaction in Halstead it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could cause delays to Halstead commercial conveyancing transactions as well as present a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not conducted for domestic conveyancing in Halstead.

I purchased a renovated Georgian house in Halstead. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and Platform Home Loans Ltd. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

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 owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Halstead and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing practitioner who completed the work.

I have today placed an offer on an apartment in Halstead and the mortgage adviser that we are using suggested his conveyancer. She quoted nine hundred pounds including VAT and disbursements. Does this sound steep?

You should not rely on one quote. You should seek like-for-like quotes for your conveyancing in Halstead. Then pick one that you trust and just as important, is on the approved panel of the mortgage company that you have applied for a mortgage from.