Last October we completed a house move in Roehampton. We have since encountered a number of issues with the house which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been conducted as part of conveyancing in Roehampton?
The query is vague as what problems have arisen and if they are unique to conveyancing in Roehampton. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken as part of the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller answers a document called a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information proves to be inaccurate, then you may have a claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Roehampton.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment in Roehampton on 25/11/2025, valuation was booked 3 days after, received a clean bill of health. Solicitor appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Lloyds and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Lloyds to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
Having 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 Roehampton solicitor - who is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Nottingham will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Nottingham 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 Roehampton 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.
Santander have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a apartment in Roehampton has been accepted, now what?
Your property agent will want to be informed of your conveyancing practitioner's details (be sure the property lawyers are on the bank’s approved list). Telephone Santander or the financial adviser and complete any relevant documentation. Santander will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the estate agent or owners to schedule a slot for the valuation to take place. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes about a fortnight for the mortgage offer to be issued. Santander will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Roehampton.
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my house are lost. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Roehampton 4 years ago have long since closed. What do I do?
In today’s world there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware precisely where to look for all the relevant paperwork so you can buy or sell your house without any difficulty. If copies are not available, your lawyer may be able to put in place insurance or indemnities against possible claims on the property.
How does conveyancing in Roehampton differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Roehampton come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Roehampton tend to purchase 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 conveyancers 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 Roehampton or who has acted in the same development.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Roehampton is where the house is located. Is there any advice you can give?
Flying freeholds in Roehampton are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Roehampton you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Roehampton 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.