Do I have to visit the offices of the solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in Woldingham so that I can pop in to their offices if necessary.
As opposed to 15 years ago, almost all lenders no longer need their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID documents and there are still manifest benefits to choosing a locally based ayer, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Woldingham.
Is it the case that all Woldingham solicitor firms on the Santander conveyancing panel are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Santander conveyancing panel they would need to be governed by the SRA. Some banks do list licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such practice would be regulated by the CLC.
I am buying a property in Woldingham. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Leeds Building Society be concerned?
As your lender is Leeds Building Society your lawyer must follow the conveyancing requirements set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Leeds Building Society. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Leeds Building Society where a lease fails to satisfy these provisions. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to Woldingham.
I have instructed a Woldingham conveyancer having checked that they are on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Nationwide will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Nationwide will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Woldingham surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
What does a local search inform me about the property my wife and I buying in Woldingham?
Woldingham conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search organisations for example Xpress Legal The local search is essential in every Woldingham conveyancing purchase; as long as you don’t want any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject headings.
I purchased a terraced Edwardian property in Woldingham. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and Barclays . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Woldingham and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Woldingham is where the house is located. Can you offer any advice?
Flying freeholds in Woldingham are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Woldingham you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Woldingham may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.