I am nearing exchange of contracts for my flat in Broadway and the estate agent has just telephoned to say that the buyers are changing their property lawyer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the mortgage company will only deal with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a big named lender only engage with specific solicitors rather the firm that they want to choose for their conveyancing in Broadway ?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the last few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for many years.
Lending institutions point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. 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 are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any impact on this.
Would the conveyancing solicitors that you recommend conduct auction conveyancing in Broadway?
We know of a few niche practitioners we can connect you with those specialising in auction conveyancing. Broadway is one of hundreds of areas of where our lawyers have offices.
What does a local search reveal regarding the house my wife and I purchasing in Broadway?
Broadway conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations for example Searchflow The local search is essential in every Broadway conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant once you have moved into your new home. The search will 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 13 topic sections.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Broadway prior to appointing lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some mortgage companies may refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you e-mail us we can investigate further via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Broadway. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Broadway for my house move. Is there any facility to see a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?
Anyone can find published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may recorded telephone calls for training reasons.
How does one remove a deceased person's details from the title deeds for a house in Broadway?
Where a Broadway property is co-owned and one of the owners passes away, the name will not immediately be removed from the title deeds. It is not necessary to remove their name as in the event of a sale you would just be required to evidence why the joint owner is missing from the conveyance, normally this takes the form of a grant of probate.
With a view to making things more straight forward for the sale of the property you can apply to have the deceased name erased from the title by applying to the land registry with evidence of the death. There is no land registry fee payable.