Much to our surprise we have been informed by our mortgage adviser that my Surrey Quays property lawyer is not on the bank Solicitor panel. What can I do to be sure that this is correct?
The sensible course of action for you to take is to call your Surrey Quays conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to inform you what has happened. Where they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your lender.
My wife and I are approaching an exchange on a flat in Surrey Quays and my parents have sent the 10% deposit to my property lawyer. I am now informed that as the deposit has not arrived from me my lawyer needs to make a notification to my lender. I am advised that, in also acting for the bank he must advise them that the balance of the purchase price is coming from anyone other than me. I advised the bank about my parents' contribution when I applied for the mortgage, so is it really necessary for this now to delay the deal?
The solicitor is obliged to clarify with lender to make sure that they understand that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only reveal this to your lender if you permit them to, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
My wife and I are downsizing from our house in Surrey Quays and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed land that was not decontaminated. Any local conveyancer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers instructed a factory type conveyancing firm as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Surrey Quays. Having lived in Surrey Quays for six years we know that this is a non issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to obtain confirmation that the buyers are looking for.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing lawyer currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Surrey Quays ahead of appointing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor has said that some banks may refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further via the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Surrey Quays. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Is planning consent necessary to split a single dwelling into multiple flats in Surrey Quays? This has occurred to a house next door to my house in Surrey Quays and was unaware of it happening until after the works were finished.
Planning consent is necessary for splitting a single dwelling in Surrey Quays into apartments but possibly not for converting back to single dwelling-house so, simply put, yes.