Can you help? My South Wimbledon lawyer is advising me that she is duty bound toconduct South Wimbledon conveyancing searches becausethe firm are on the Santanderconveyancing panel. Is my lawyer correct?

Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with a bank your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the CML Handbook requirements . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out South Wimbledon conveyancing searches.

Why is leasehold purchase conveyancing in South Wimbledon costs more?

South Wimbledon leasehold properties involve far more paperwork than a freehold purchase, and therefore takes more time to examine and advise upon.Conveyancing will involve the lease having to be checked which is usually a lengthy document, queries raised to ensure that the covenants and conditions have been observed. If it is a flat there will be a management company in existence and the accounts of this will need to be checked and enquiries raised to ensure it is operating efficiently and that all monies due have been paid by the Seller to the company and if not ensuring that money is paid up to date or the appropriate undertakings obtained.

I am helping my niece sell her house in South Wimbledon. Will the solicitor commission the energy performance certificate or should I organise this?

Following the demise of HIPs, EPC’s became a compulsory part of selling a property. An EPC should be to hand prior to the property being placed on the market. This is not something that solicitors ordinarily organise. If you are using a South Wimbledon conveyancing solicitor they may help arrange energy assessments given their contacts with reputable South Wimbledon providers

I'm the sole beneficiary of my late grandmother’s estate and I have everything in my name alone, including the house in South Wimbledon. The South Wimbledon property was put into my name in September. I plan to dispose of the house. I understand that there is a CML six month 'rule', which means that my proprietorship could be considered the same way as if I'd bought the property in September. Is the property unsalable for six months?

The CML handbook instructs conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you may be affected by that. How sensible a view lenders take of it, depend on the lender as this clause chiefly exists to pick up on subsales or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.

Is it the case that all South Wimbledon CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Lloyds conveyancing panel?

A selection of banks and building societies now use the accreditation scheme as the kick off point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.

How can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my commercial premises in South Wimbledon and how can your lawyers assist?

The particular law that you refer to provides protection to commercial tenants, giving them the a statutory right to make a request to court for a renewal lease and continue in occupation when the lease comes to an end. There are limited grounds where a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are involved. We are happy to direct you to commercial conveyancing solicitors who use the act to your advantage and assist with commercial conveyancing in South Wimbledon

I see that you have a search directory identifying solicitors on the bank conveyancing panel. Do South Wimbledon conveyancing firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for my own house purchase?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the lender conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in South Wimbledon.