Last January we completed a house move in Sheen Park. We have since encountered a number of issues with the property which we suspect were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? What searches should? have been carried out as part of conveyancing in Sheen Park?
It is not clear from the question as to the nature of the problems and if they are specific to conveyancing in Sheen Park. Conveyancing searches and investigations initiated during the buying process are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, the vendor fills in a document referred to as a SPIF. If the information ends up being misleading, you may have a misrepresentation 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 Sheen Park.
We previously instructed conveyancers based in Sheen Park on the TSB solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee for dealing with the TSB mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by TSB?
Provided it is contained in their Terms and Conditions or estimate then yes your solicitor is entitled to levy a fee for this. This fee is not set by TSB but by your Sheen Park solicitor. Some firms on the TSB panel will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but many practices incorporate it on their overall fee.
My partner and I are in the throws of viewing apartments in Sheen Park and I am about to put in an offer. Is it best to have my lawyer on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a home loan with Lloyds.
You should start requesting conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on to the selling agent. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with Lloyds, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Lloyds conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Sheen Park. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
What can a local search reveal concerning the property my wife and I buying in Sheen Park?
Sheen Park conveyancing often starts with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations such as Searchflow The local search plays a central role in many a Sheen Park conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty once you have moved into your property. The search should supply data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 topic headings.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Sheen Park before appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. The surveyor has said that some lenders will refuse to grant a mortgage on this type of premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Sheen Park. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Sheen Park to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.
My partner has encouraged me to appoint his lawyers for conveyancing in Sheen Park. Should I choose my own solicitor?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Sheen Park conveyancing lawyer the best way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to have recommendations from friends or family who have actually experience in using the firm you're considering.