I am in the market for a low cost conveyancer. Should I go for for an internet conveyancer rather than a high street Leicestershire conveyancing lawyer?
Leicestershire is a special area, where regional know-how helps. The laid-back lifestyle is great – but not for your conveyancing. The solicitors that we endorse display well rounded Leicestershire insight with a positive, hands-onapproach that ensures everything runs smoothly. It is a definite plus if they benefit from long term rapport with financial advisers, search providers, valuers and other Leicestershire conveyancing solicitors
My property lawyer in Leicestershire is not listed on the Platform Home Loans Ltd Solicitor Panel. Is it possible for me to use my prefered solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the Platform Home Loans Ltd panel?
Your options are as follows:
- Complete the purchase with your existing Leicestershire lawyers but Platform Home Loans Ltd will need to instruct a conveyancer on their panel. This will inevitably rack up the total legal fees as well as result in delays.
- Get a new solicitor to to deal with the conveyancing, not forgetting to check they are Platform Home Loans Ltd approved.
- Persuade your Platform Home Loans Ltd based solicitor to attempt to join the Platform Home Loans Ltd panel
is it true that all Leicestershire conveyancing solicitors on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel are governed by the SRA?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many mortgage companies do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the CLC.
How can we tell if a Leicestershire conveyancing solicitor on the Santander panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Leicestershire obtaining recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer handling your conveyancing.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Leicestershire solicitor - who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Barclays will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Barclays 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. Your property lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Leicestershire postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Barclays, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Leicestershire.
My colleague advised me that if I am buying in Leicestershire I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Leicestershire conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing important information about Leicestershire around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Leicestershire Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Leicestershire Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Leicestershire.
At what stage do I cover the costs of stamp duty chargeable for my Leicestershire property purchase?
The lawyer should complete a stamp duty return on your behalf as part of your Leicestershire conveyancing transaction for you to sign. After completion your lawyer will submit your Land Transaction application to the Inland Revenue and - as long as they have the money - pay any Stamp Duty liability for you.