I was advised recently by my mortgage adviser that my Higham Ferrers lawyer is not on the mortgage company Conveyancing panel. How can I be certain whether this is indeed the case?

Your first step should be to call your Higham Ferrers lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to inform you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they may be able to suggest a Higham Ferrers conveyancing firm that is on the conveyancing panel for your lender.

I purchased a freehold premises in Higham Ferrers but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Higham Ferrers and has limited impact for conveyancing in Higham Ferrers 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 hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

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

I am helping my mother sell her house in Higham Ferrers. Does the conveyancing solicitor arrange the EPC or do I organise this?

Following the abolition of Home Information Packs, energy assessments became a required component of moving property. An EPC should be commissioned in advance of the property being placed on the market. This is not as aspect of the sale process that law firms ordinarily arrange. Where you are instructing a Higham Ferrers conveyancing practitioner they might help arrange energy assessments due to their contacts with long established Higham Ferrers providers

I currently have a mortgage with Kent Reliance for my property in Higham Ferrers. Conveyancing was finalised months ago. If I am intending to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Kent Reliance?

Your original mortgage agreement with Kent Reliance will provide that you need their approval before renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Kent Reliance’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Kent Reliance directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Kent Reliance conveyancing panel lawyer.

Co-operative have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a apartment in Higham Ferrers has been accepted, what happens next?

Your estate agent will wish to be informed of your conveyancing practitioner's details (be sure the conveyancers are on the bank’s approved list). Contact Co-operative or your financial adviser and finish off any appropriate paperwork. Co-operative will sellect a valuer who will get in contact with the estate agent or owners to book a slot for the valuation to occur. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Co-operative will send the offer to you and your solicitors. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Higham Ferrers.

I need some quick conveyancing in Higham Ferrers as I am under pressure to sign on the dotted line inside one month. A mortgage is not required. Can I avoid the conveyancing searches to save money and time?

As you are are a cash buyer you are at free not to do searches although no conveyancer would advise that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Higham Ferrers the following are instances of what can appear and adversely affect market value: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Charges, Outstanding Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified during conveyancing in Higham Ferrers?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Higham Ferrers. 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…’