Just been in touch with my conveyancing lawyer in Covent Garden who completed the legal work 18 months ago requesting a conveyancing estimate based on the same type of home move (a leasehold property and a freehold premises) of similar values with a mortgage from Coventry Building Society. I am now being charged twice the amount. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for a cheaper internet conveyancer?
The estimate does seem a little steep. If you you were to look around you might get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by say a hundred pounds. On the other hand, if you were content with the assistance the firm offered you maycome to regret choosing an an unknown solicitor. Remember to check that the conveyancer can act for Coventry Building Society. Do use our search tool to locate a Covent Garden conveyancing firm on the Coventry Building Society member panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Covent Garden.
We are buying our first house. Our conveyancer has calledto check if we want to order extra conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's necessary for conveyancing in Covent Garden
The extent of Covent Garden conveyancing searches should be triggered based primarily on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your familiarity of the area and risks, your general approach to risk. What is important is that you properly appreciate what information each search could supply. Then you can decide if you consider that you need that search. Where you are unclear, ask the conveyancer to explain.
I have been told that property searches are the number one cause of stalling in Covent Garden conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released findings of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature within the common causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are not likely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Covent Garden.
I own a terraced Edwardian property in Covent Garden. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Santander. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold with the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Covent Garden and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing practitioner who carried out the work.
How does conveyancing in Covent Garden differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Covent Garden come to us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because new home sellers in Covent Garden usually acquire 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 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 Covent Garden or who has acted in the same development.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Covent Garden. Conveyancing and Lloyds TSB Bank mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Covent Garden who acted for me is not around. Any advice?
The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Covent Garden conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
My wife and I have hit a brick wall in seeking a lease extension in Covent Garden. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Covent Garden conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Covent Garden flat is 20 Avonwick Road in July 2013. The Tribunal was dealing with an application under Section 26 of the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 for a determination of the freehold value of the property. It was concluded that the price to be paid was Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy (£15,970) divided as to £8,200 for Flat 20 and £7,770 for Flat 20A This case related to 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 73.26 years.