In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Kemp Town? What am I being asked for?

Kemp Town conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property lawyers accross the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to check the ID of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to provide two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill no older than three months).

Evidence of the origin of monies is also required under the money laundering regulations as conveyancers are obliged to check that the monies you are using to buy a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase price if you are buying mortgage free) has come from legitimate source (such as an inheritance) and is not the fruits of illegitimate behaviour.

Have just purchased a repossessed house at auction in Kemp Town. Conveyancing is needed. What are my next steps?

Having legally bound yourself to purchase you should choose a conveyancing practitioner soon as you will have a fast approaching a drop dead date to complete the property. Every auction property will ordinarily have a bespoke auction pack. This will include evidence of title and search results. If you have purchased leasehold property the legal papers may contain a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing documentation specific to leasehold premises. You must hand this to your appointed conveyancing solicitor as soon as possible. Do make sure that you have funds in order to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Kemp Town building society branch on various occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My Kemp Town conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they refuse to lend in accordance with their published requirements. Who do I believe?

Your solicitor has to follow the CML Handbook section two conditions for your lender. 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 mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Having read lots of mortgage guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Kemp Town solicitor - who is on the HSBC conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

HSBC will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually HSBC will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Kemp Town surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

I need some expedited conveyancing in Kemp Town as I am under a deadline to complete in less than 4 weeks. Luckily I do not need a mortgage. Can I decline from having conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

As you are are a mortgage free purchaser you are at liberty not to have searches carried out although no conveyancer would suggest that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Kemp Town the following are examples of what can appear and therefore impact future mortgageability: Refused Planning Applications, Outstanding Charges, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Kemp Town. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build conveyancing.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Kemp Town

Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal.

My cousin has urged me to instruct his conveyancers in Kemp Town. Should I use them?

No doubt it’s preferable to find a conveyancing lawyer is to have referrals from friends or family who have actually experience in using the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.