I am in the process of selling my ground floor flat in Bordon and the estate agent has just called to advise that the purchasers are appointing a new conveyancer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the lender will only work with property lawyers on their approved list. On what basis would a major mortgage company only deal with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to appoint to handle their conveyancing in Bordon ?
Banks have always had panels of law firms that can represent them, but in the past few years big names such as Yorkshire Building Society, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for more than 15 years.
Banks attribute this action to a rise in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The buyers are not going to have any sway in the decision.
My brother and I have just bought a property in Bordon. We have noticed several problems with the house which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? What searches should? have been carried out as part of conveyancing in Bordon?
The query is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are specific to conveyancing in Bordon. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated as part of the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller fills in a document known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. answers turns out to be misleading, you could possibly take legal action against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Bordon.
It is a dozen years since I purchased my house in Bordon. Conveyancing lawyers have just been instructed on the sale but I am unable to track down my title deeds. Is this a major issue?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be retained by the mortgage company or they could be in the possession of the solicitor who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the chances are that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Bordon relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your property is not registered it adds to the complexity but is resolvable.
I am purchasing a house and the conveyancer has referenced Chancel Repair for which the property may be liable as it falls into the area of such a church. She has suggested insurance. Is this really required for conveyancing in Bordon
Unless a previous purchase of the house took place post 12 October 2013 you may take it that lawyers delivering conveyancing in Bordon to continue to advocate a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Bordon for my purchase. Can I see a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?
Members of the public can find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions stemming from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor telephone calls for training purposes.
What can I do where I am unhappy with the lawyer who undertook my conveyancing in Bordon?
Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and unfortunately sometimes matters do not go as planned. However there is recourse if you were unhappy with your conveyancing in Bordon. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a solicitor to their regulator. If you remain unhappy you may consider getting in touch with the Legal Ombudsman.