Finally the sale completed on my house in Stockbridge last January but our buyer keeps Skype messaging daily to say his lawyer is waiting to hear from mine. What are the post completion sale legalities now that I have sold?

After completion of your disposal your solicitor is committed to deliver the transfer deeds and all additional paperwork to the buyer’s lawyers. If applicable, your conveyancer should also confirm that the home loan has been discharged to the purchasers solicitors. There is unlikely to be post completion steps just for conveyancing in Stockbridge.

This question may be naive but I am unexperienced as a first time buyer of a two bedroom flat in Stockbridge. Do I collect the keys to the premises on the completion date from my lawyer? If so, I will instruct a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Stockbridge?

On the day of completion you do not need to go to the conveyancers office in Stockbridge. Your solicitors will arrange to send the completion advance to the vendor’s solicitors, and once they have received this, you should be invited to receive the keys from the selling Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this occurs early afternoon.

We are due to move house in November. Will my conveyancing solicitor communicate with the removal company on the day of completion. As an aside, can you suggest a removal company in Stockbridge. Conveyancing solicitor was chosen prior to coming across your website.

On the day of completion you will need to collect the house keys from the estate agent however this can only take place once the previous owners lawyers advise the agent that they acknowledge receipt of the completion payment and the keys can be handed over. After that you can inform the removal company that they can start moving you in. We are not in a position to suggest a particular removal company but can assist you in locating a conveyancing in Stockbridge or a solicitor that specialises in conveyancing in Stockbridge.

I am selling my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in August 2006, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s lender, Skipton are being problematic. The Stockbridge solicitor who is on the Skipton conveyancing panel is happy to accept ‘lack of building regulation’ insurance but Skipton are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Skipton have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that Skipton have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Skipton may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

How does conveyancing in Stockbridge differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Stockbridge come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because house builders in Stockbridge typically buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Stockbridge or who has acted in the same development.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Stockbridge for my home move. Can I check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

You can see presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from investigations started on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes recorded telephone calls for training requirements.

Last February I purchased a leasehold flat in Stockbridge. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Stockbridge Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries Prior to Purchasing

Generally speaking the cost for major works are not built into the service charges, although a few managing agents in Stockbridge obliged tenants to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major works. What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the property? It is important to be aware whether redecorating or some other major work is anticipated to be shared amongst the leaseholders and may well dramatically increase the the maintenance charges or require a specific payment.