My family lawyer has given a fee estimate £1350 for freehold conveyancing in Saltash. I’m selling a purpose built detached home for £175,000. This sounds overpriced. Is it above the average fee for conveyancing in Saltash?

The charges are a bit high. If you shop around you may be able to decrease the fees marginally by as much as a hundred pounds. That being said, you couldcome to rue choosing an an untested conveyancer. Don't forget to check the firm can also act for your bank. Do utilise our search tool to get a quote a Saltash conveyancing firm on the banks approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Saltash.

We are purchasing a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Saltash who is on the Virgin Money solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Virgin Money . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Saltash.

There are a variety of conveyancing solicitors in Saltash but how do I know who I should use?

Do not opt for the cheapest Saltash conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Saltash. I have a mortgage agreed with Santander. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Santander, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel.

I had an offer accepted on a property in Saltash on 15/7/2024, valuation was booked five days later, received a clean bill of health. Property lawyer instructed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Santander and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel. Are Santander entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?

A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Santander to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Santander conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

I have been told that property searches are a common cause of delay in Saltash house deals. Is this right?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the common causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Saltash.

I have recently realised that I have Fifty years left on my lease in Saltash. I now want to extend my lease but my freeholder is missing. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to track down the freeholder. In some cases a specialist should be useful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a conveyancer both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Saltash.

Saltash Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

The best form of lease structure is where the freehold title is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this scenario the leaseholders benefit from control and although a managing agent is often employed where it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Best to be warned whether changing the roof or some other significant cost is due in the foreseeable future that will be shared between the tenants and will materially increase the the maintenance charges or necessitate a specific invoice. It would be wise to find out as much as you can about the company managing the building as they will either make your living at the property much simpler or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to practical matters such as the cleanliness of the common parts. Enquire of other people what they think of them. Finally, be sure you understand the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the relevant party and specifically what you get for your money.