Should my lawyer be making enquiries regarding flooding during the conveyancing in Roker.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in Roker. Some people will acquire a house in Roker, completely aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, satisfactory insurance cover, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not best placed to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a various checks that may be undertaken by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Roker. The conventional set of completed inquiry forms sent to a purchaser’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a standard question of the seller to determine if the premises has ever been flooded. In the event that the property has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the vendor, then a buyer could issue a compensation claim resulting from an misleading answer. The purchaser’s solicitors may also conduct an environmental report. This should indicate whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further investigations should be initiated.

I'm buying my first flat in Roker with a mortgage from Virgin Money. The sellers would not reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The property agent suggested that I not reveal to my lawyer about this side-deal as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

How difficult is it to swap firm as I have to choose one who is on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. I had appointed a high street conveyancing solicitor in Roker round the corner but he is not approved by Aldermore

It would be our pleasure to assist you select a conveyancing solicitor in Roker on the Aldermore panel. Please note that the solicitors that we on the directory do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Roker. In making use of search facility on this page, you can contrast charges for conveyancing solicitors in Roker and beyond.

I am looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Roker for my house move. Can I check a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public may read presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training reasons.

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Roker. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Roker ?

The majority of houses in Roker are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Roker in which case you should be shopping around for a Roker conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.

Roker Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Best to be warned whether window replacement or some other major work is due in the foreseeable future to be shared amongst the leaseholders and will dramatically increase the the maintenance charges or necessitate a one time payment. How many years are left on the lease? Its a good idea to discover as much as you can about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily issues such as the tidiness of the common parts. Ask prospective neighbours what they think of them. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically what you get for your money.