How up to date is your database of Oxfordshire solicitors on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel? Do Bank of Ireland send you an updated list?
Oxfordshire conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Bank of Ireland directly.
I just acquired a house at auction in Oxfordshire. Conveyancing is required. What are my next steps?
Having legally bound yourself to purchase you now have to hire the services of a conveyancing lawyer as a matter of urgency as you are faced with a pending a fixed date to complete the deal. Every auction property will have an associated legal set of papers. This should include the copy title deeds, local authority and drainage searches. In the case of leasehold property the legal pack should contain a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing paperwork pertinent to leasehold premises. You should give this to your appointed conveyancing solicitor as soon as possible. Do make sure that your finances are in order to complete on the date specified in the contract.
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Lloyds. Oxfordshire conveyancing practitioners are selected. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Lloyds?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Lloyds done the survey? Have you advised Lloyds as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Lloyds conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.
I've read lots 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 Oxfordshire solicitor - who is on the RBS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
RBS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually RBS 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 Oxfordshire 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.
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my home can not be found. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Oxfordshire 5 years ago no longer exist. What do I do?
These day there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will know exactly where to look for all the appropriate documentation so you can buy or sell your property without any difficulty. Where duplicates can’t be located, your conveyancer can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities against future claims on the premises.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a simple, chain free conveyancing. Oxfordshire is where the house is located. Can you offer any advice?
Flying freeholds in Oxfordshire are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Oxfordshire you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Oxfordshire may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Oxfordshire for my home move. Can I check a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?
One can read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor call for training requirements.