The deeds to our house are lost. The lawyers who handled the conveyancing in Winchmore Hill 10 years ago have long since closed. What are my next steps?
As long as the title is registered the information relating to your ownership will be evidenced by the Land Registry with a Title Number. It is easy to execute a search at the Land Registry, identify your house and secure current copies of the property title for a small fee. If the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will usually hold a certified copy of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be obtained for twenty pounds.
How does conveyancing in Winchmore Hill differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Winchmore Hill approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is built. This is because developers in Winchmore Hill usually buy the land, 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 conveyancers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Winchmore Hill or who has acted in the same development.
Given that I am about to part with hundreds of thousands of pounds on a garden flat in Winchmore Hill I wish to talk to a solicitor about myhouse move prior to giving the go ahead to the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?
Absolutely - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the conveyancer due to be carrying out your conveyancing in Winchmore Hill.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is unique person, not a file reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are quoted for your conveyancing in Winchmore Hill should be the amount on the final invoice that you are charged.
Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Winchmore Hill with the aim of expediting the sale process?
- Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Winchmore Hill can be reduced if you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers’ lawyers. If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should ensure that you have the original share document. Obtaining a re-issued share certificate can be a lengthy formality and frustrates many a Winchmore Hill home move. If a new share is needed, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (if relevant) for this sooner rather than later. You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but you should double-check by asking your solicitors. A purchaser's lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale. If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are settled before the property is put on the market. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where a dispute is ongoing. You will have to accept that you will have to pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the buyers, but it is better to present the dispute as over rather than ongoing.
I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can I make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Winchmore Hill conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?
if there is a absentee landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the LVT to make a decision on the amount due.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Winchmore Hill residence is First Floor Flat 109 Lyndhurst Road in May 2010. Following a vesting order by Edmonton County Court on 29th October 2009 the Tribunal decided on a figure of £5,012 for a lease extension. This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 81.79 years.
I need to switch lawyers as my Winchmore Hill lawyer is not on the mortgage company's approved list of conveyancing solicitors. Is it practical to instruct different lawyers?
In the event that you have not formally instructed a solicitor to start work and at this stage simply received an estimate as to costs, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer in Winchmore Hill that you're considering.