I am getting a offer of a home loan from Santander. I intend to use a Licensed Conveyancer in Chester. Does the Santander Conveyancing panel exclude Licensed Conveyancers?
The Santander conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
Does a directory service exist listing Aldermore panel conveyancers in Chester on the Building Society Association’s Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lending institutions make their panel listings viewable online. Where you are in need of a Chester solicitor on the Aldermore please use our tool.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Chester. I have a mortgage agreed with Principality. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Principality, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Principality conveyancing panel.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in Chester. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Team at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
Do commercial conveyancing searches reveal proposed roadworks that could impact a commercial land in Chester?
Its becoming the norm that commercial conveyancing solicitors in Chester will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it dramatically cuts the time that conveyancers spend in investigating accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Chester. The search result provides definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Chester.
For each commercial conveyancing transaction in Chester it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. The absence of identifying developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately may cause delays to Chester commercial conveyancing transactions as well as present a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not ordered for residential conveyancing in Chester.
How does conveyancing in Chester differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Chester come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is built. This is because builders in Chester tend to acquire the site, 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 Chester or who has acted in the same development.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £305k and found one near me in Chester I like with amenity areas and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 61 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Chester suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?
Should you need a mortgage that many years will likely be an issue. Discount the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.
I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Chester for my purchase. Is it possible to check a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?
One can read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could monitor telephone calls for training purposes.