I am selling my apartment in Christchurch and the estate agent has just telephoned to warn that the buyers are swapping conveyancer. The excuse is that the mortgage company will only deal with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a big named mortgage company only work with specific lawyers rather the firm that they want to choose for their conveyancing in Christchurch ?
Banks have always had an approved set of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have represented them for decades.
Mortgage companies point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the pruning – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. Banks tend not to reveal how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms 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.
What does a local search reveal concerning the property my wife and I buying in Christchurch?
Christchurch conveyancing often commences with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations for example Onsearch The local search plays a central part in many a Christchurch conveyancing purchase; as long as you don’t want any nasty once you have moved into your new home. The search will provide data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (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 thirteen subject headings.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up as part of conveyancing in Christchurch?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Christchurch. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
How does conveyancing in Christchurch differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Christchurch come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is completed. This is because house builders in Christchurch typically 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 property lawyers 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 Christchurch or who has acted in the same development.
I am selling my property. My previous solicitors have shut. I am in need of a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in Christchurch if that affects matters.
Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Christchurch. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move runs smoothly.
Is it true that a Christchurch conveyancing firm has court proceedings brought against them by a client for failing to conduct comprehensive conveyancing searches?
Our attention has not be brought to such a Christchurch conveyancing claim but according to a recent report, a couple purchasing a property in Cumbria successfully won a case against their lawyer as a consequence of development plans to erect a wind farm not being picked up in conveyancing searches.
Where you are buying in Christchurch It is essential that your conveyancer conduct all Christchurch conveyancing searches required making sure that you have relevant and up to date information ahead of purchasing a property.