It is a dozen years since I acquired my home in Macclesfield. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find the title deeds. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly the deeds may be retained by the lender or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining current official copies of the land registers. Almost all conveyancing in Macclesfield relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your home is not registered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
We're in Macclesfield, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is , and our solicitor is on the conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my house can not be found. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Macclesfield years ago no longer exist. Will I be able to sell the house?
As long as the title is registered the information relating to your ownership will be documented by the Land Registry under a Title Number. It is easy to carry out a search at the Land Registry, identify your property and order current copies of the Registered Entries for a small fee. If the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will usually hold a certified copy of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be retrieved for £20 inclusive of VAT.
How does conveyancing in Macclesfield differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Macclesfield come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is completed. This is because new home sellers in Macclesfield typically acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Macclesfield or who has acted in the same development.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Macclesfield for my home move. Is there any facility to check a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?
Members of the public can search for presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions stemming from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor telephone calls for training reasons.