I am expecting a mortgage with Lloyds. I intend to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer in Sidcup. Does the Lloyds Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC?
The Lloyds conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
What can a local search reveal concerning the property we're purchasing in Sidcup?
Sidcup conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for instance Searchflow The local search plays a central role in many a Sidcup conveyancing purchase; as long as you don’t want any unpleasant once you have moved into your property. The search should provide data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable 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 subject headings.
Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Sidcup in advance of instructing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different instructions for example to Halifax. If you contact us we can check with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Sidcup. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Sidcup. Conveyancing and Bank of Scotland mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1997. The conveyancing practitioner in Sidcup who previously acted has now retired. What should I do?
First make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Sidcup conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
We have reached the end of our tether in trying to reach an agreement for a lease extension in Sidcup. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?
in cases where there is a missing landlord or if there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to assess the price.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Sidcup residence is 103a Footscray Road in January 2014. The tribunal determines that the premium payable for the extended lease should be £34,500 according to the expert witness valuation calculation This case was in relation to 1 flat.
Our mortgage broker has suggested using their solicitor for our conveyancing in Sidcup - Surely it’s easier to just instruct them?
It is not always the case and you are entitled to opt for whichever lawyer you decide for your Sidcup home move. The property lawyer recommended by an estate agent may not always be the right solicitor, they may put forward their own conveyancing firm who are based far away. In this instance you may not have contact with your solicitor and due to the lack of continuity in the transaction, it may be difficult to obtain updates.