We are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in Chelsea with a mortgage. We have a Chelsea conveyancer, however the lender advise she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have no option but to select one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Chelsea solicitor and pay for one of their panel firms to represent them. We regard this is inequitable; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Chelsea conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
My relative suggested that where I am purchasing in Chelsea I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is usually included in the estimate for your Chelsea conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out important information about Chelsea around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Chelsea Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Chelsea Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Chelsea.
I have recentlydiscovered that Stirling Law have closed. They carried out my conveyancing in Chelsea for a purchase of a freehold house 12 months ago. How can I be sure that my home is not still registered in the name of the former proprietor?
The easiest method to check if the property is in your name, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Chelsea conveyancing specialists.
I'm purchasing my first flat in Chelsea with a loan from Nottingham Building Society. The builders would not budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The estate agent suggested that I not disclose to my solicitor about this side-deal as it may adversely affect my loan with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Chelsea is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?
Flying freeholds in Chelsea are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Chelsea you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Chelsea may determine 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.
I am looking to sell my property. My former solicitors has retired. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Chelsea if that makes things easier.
Do use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Chelsea. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.