The Chiswick conveyancing lawyers that I appointed last week on my purchase in Chiswick have suddenly closed. I chose them because I had to have a lawyer on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel and my preferred Chiswick lawyer was not. I paid them funds on account. What should be my next steps?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them straight away so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to help.
I have todaydiscovered that Wolstenholmes have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Chiswick for a purchase of a leasehold flat 10 months ago. How can I check that my home is not still registered in the name of the former proprietor?
The easiest method to check if the premises is registered to you, 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 Chiswick conveyancing specialists.
How does conveyancing in Chiswick differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Chiswick approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because developers in Chiswick typically buy the real estate, 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Chiswick or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Chiswick before retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. Our surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to grant a mortgage on such a property.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Chiswick. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Chiswick conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?
When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Chiswick conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with several firms including non Chiswick conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:
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What volume of lease extensions has the firm completed in Chiswick in the last year? How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?
I am the leaseholder of a first flat in Chiswick. Given that I can not reach agreement with the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the amount due for a lease extension?
if there is a absentee freeholder or if there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the LVT to assess the price.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Chiswick property is Flat 1 30 Ennismore Avenue in September 2010. the Tribunal adopted and arrived at a premium for the lease extension of £29, 900 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 68.34 years.
Living abroad it is not practicable to travel my Chiswick conveyancing lawyers office to sign documents connected to my conveyancing in Chiswick – is this a problem?
No. Chiswick conveyancing solicitors can undertake home moves for clients nationwide. It is not necessary for you to be able to be present a Chiswick conveyancers office. Almost all lawyer can undertake all communications via post, email, telephone and fax.