When does exchange of contracts take place for sale conveyancing in Hampstead and am I required to be at the solicitors branch?

If you are local to one of the conveyancing solicitors in Hampstead you are welcome to come in to sign documents. However, the firms we work with provide countrywide coverage for conveyancing and give just as detailed and professional a job for you when dealing with you by post or email. The signing of the contract is not the critical part. A signed contract is just a prerequisite for the conveyancer to address the formalities at the suitable time, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The exchange process is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where an extended "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Hampstead)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

There are a variety of conveyancing solicitors in Hampstead but how do I know who I should use?

We would encourage you not to base your choice on the lowest Hampstead conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

My fiancee and I are at the point of looking at houses in Hampstead and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it too early to have a solicitor in place? I am planning to take a mortgage with .

It would be wise to instigate your search sooner rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the selling agent. As you are taking out a mortgage with , ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.

I am due to exchange contracts on my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in September 2010, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s lender, are being difficult. The Hampstead solicitor who is on the conveyancing panel is happy to accept ‘lack of building regulation’ insurance but are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

We are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our house in Hampstead and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any local conveyancer would know this is not the case. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers are using a web based conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Hampstead. We have lived in Hampstead for 5 years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to seek confirmation need.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You should enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)

About to purchase a new build apartment in Hampstead. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Set out below is a sample of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you can expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Hampstead

There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company? Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and identified one close by in Hampstead I like with a park and station in the vicinity, however it only has 61 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Hampstead for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.