I am purchasing a property in Kensal Rise. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Co-operative have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

As you are obtaining a mortgage with Co-operative your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co-operative. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancing practitioners are required to report to Co-operative where a lease does not satisfy these requirements. The provisions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to Kensal Rise.

I have paid off my mortgage with Leeds Building Society. I assume I don't need a Kensal Rise conveyancing practitioner on the Leeds Building Society panel to discharge the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm.

If you have finished paying off your Leeds Building Society mortgage, they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Leeds Building Society mortgage from the register. Leeds Building Society, and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:

1. but are not moving to another property
2. where Leeds Building Society has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
3. Leeds Building Society has instructed the Land Registry to do so

Coventry BS have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a house in Kensal Rise has been accepted, what happens next?

The estate agent will wish to be advised as to your solicitor's details (be sure the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s panel). Telephone Coventry BS or your financial adviser and complete any relevant documentation. Coventry BS will sellect a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to book a slot for the valuation to take place. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately ten days to receive the mortgage offer. Coventry BS will issue the offer to you and your conveyancing practitioners. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Kensal Rise.

Will my lawyer be raising enquiries about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Kensal Rise.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Kensal Rise. Some people will acquire a property in Kensal Rise, completely expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Lawyers are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a numerous searches that may be initiated by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which should figure out the risks in Kensal Rise. The conventional set of information supplied to a buyer’s solicitor (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a usual question of the owner to determine whether the property has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred which is not notified by the seller, then a buyer could commence a claim for damages stemming from an inaccurate reply. The purchaser’s lawyers should also carry out an environmental search. This will higlight whether there is any known flood risk. If so, further inquiries should be made.

What tools are available to locate a Kensal Rise solicitor on the TSB conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am prepared to travel upto 20kilometers to meet the conveyancer.

You can use the facility on this website. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of Kensal Rise conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have listed some Kensal Rise conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can call them to check whether they are on the TSB approved list

Should I instruct a Kensal Rise conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can execute the legal formalities but they are based a couple of hundredmiles drive away.

The benefit of a local Kensal Rise conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to execute paperwork, deliver your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Kensal Rise know how is a benefit. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and in the main were content that must outweigh using an unfamiliar Kensal Rise conveyancing solicitor just because they are local.

Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Kensal Rise being on the lender conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for our bank?

We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right Kensal Rise conveyancing solicitor for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with Kensal Rise knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..