What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Swindon? Is this really warranted?

In order to comply with Money Laundering Regulations any Swindon conveyancing firm will require evidence of your identity in all conveyancing transactions. This is normally dealt with by provision of a passport and an original bank statement or utility account showing where you reside.

Under Money Laundering Regulations, conveyancing solicitors are duty bound to check not just the ID of conveyancing clients but also the origin of the money that they receive in respect of any matter. Refusal to disclose this will result in your solicitor ending their relationship with you, as clearly this will cause a conflict between the set Regulations and a refusal to disclose.

Your conveyancers are duty bound to notify the appropriate authorities should they consider that any monies received by them may contravene the Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules.

Have just purchased a probate house at auction in Swindon. Conveyancing is needed. What are my next steps?

Given that you have now legally committed yourself to purchase you must hire the services of a conveyancing practitioner quickly as you are faced with a pending a drop dead date to complete the conveyancing. An auction property will ordinarily have a bespoke legal pack. This should include most,if not all of the paperwork that your conveyancer will need. If you have purchased leasehold property the conveyancing papers should include a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing paperwork relating to a leasehold property. You should pass this on to the conveyancer working for you at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that that you have the requisite funding organised to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

Are all Swindon Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the RBS conveyancing list of approved firms?

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

HSBC have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a flat in Swindon has been accepted, what are the next steps?

The estate agent will wish to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s panel). Contact HSBC or the broker and finish off any outstanding documentation. HSBC will sellect a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or seller to schedule an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes on average a fortnight for the mortgage offer to be issued. HSBC will send the offer to you and your solicitors. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Swindon.

How does conveyancing in Swindon differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Swindon approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because builders in Swindon tend to buy the site, 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 Swindon or who has acted in the same development.

What tools are available to locate a Swindon law firm on the Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel? I have wheels and am willing to travel upto 10kilometers to meet the solicitor.

You can use the facility on this page. Please pick a bank and your location and you will see a number of Swindon conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have listed some Swindon conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can call them to verify if they are on the Chelsea Building Society panel

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Swindon conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Swindon conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Swindon conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Swindon who can give a testimonial?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Swindon - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

Make sure you discover if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For example it is reasonably common in Swindon leases that pets are not permitted in certain buildings in Swindon. If you love the propertyin Swindon yet your dog is not allowed to move with you then you will be presented with a difficult decision. The best form of lease structure is where the freehold interest is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this arrangement the tenants have being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is frequently employed where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Is there a share of the freehold?