I have given 8 weeks notice to my current landlord and have to vacate my rented apartment in Cockermouth by 13/11/2026. Conveyancing for my house purchase is progressing. Is it possible to complete in six weeks as don't want to have to move into short term accommodation?
The normal practice is not to serve notice for your tenancy unless exchange of contracts has taken place. If you have not already done so, notify to your conveyancer and request that they cajole the owners side, try to an acceptable time-line that everyone will aim to achieve
It is is a decade since I purchased my home in Cockermouth. Conveyancing lawyers have now been appointed on the sale but I am unable to find the deeds. Will this jeopardise the sale?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly the deeds may be kept by your lender or they may be in the possession of the lawyers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Cockermouth involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more of a problem but is resolvable.
A relative recommended that where I am buying in Cockermouth I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Cockermouth conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Cockermouth around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Cockermouth Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Cockermouth Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Cockermouth.
How does conveyancing in Cockermouth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Cockermouth approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because builders in Cockermouth tend to acquire the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Cockermouth or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey completed on a house in Cockermouth prior to appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. Our surveyor advised that some banks tend not grant a loan on a flying freehold house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Cockermouth. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Cockermouth to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.
Am I right to be concerned that estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a nationwide conveyancing firm rather than a local Cockermouth conveyancing company?
As with lots of service providers, often referrals from family and friends can be very helpful. But there are numerous parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders may recommend lawyers to retain. Sometimes the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there is an underlying financial incentive behind the endorsement. You are at liberty to choose your preferred lawyer. Don't forget that most lenders specify a panel list of law firms you must use for the lender related work in your house move.