It is a dozen years since I acquired my home in Devon. Conveyancing solicitors have now been instructed on the sale but I am unable to track down my title deeds. Will this cause complications?
Don’t worry too much. First there is a possibility that the deeds will be retained by your mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the solicitor who acted in the purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Devon relates to registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is not registered it is more of a problem but is resolvable.
I am purchasing a garden flat in Devon. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Devon you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Devon.
The deeds to our property can not be found. The solicitors who handled the conveyancing in Devon 5 years ago no longer exist. What do I do?
As long as the title is registered the details of your proprietorship will be documented by HMLR under a Title Number. It is easy to conduct a search at the Land Registry, locate your property and obtain current copies of the property title for a small fee. If the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will in most cases hold a file duplicate of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be ordered for a small fee.
How does conveyancing in Devon differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Devon approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Devon tend to 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 Devon or who has acted in the same development.
I'm remortgaging my primary house to a BTL loan with TSB and I will use the rest of the raised equity as a down payment on further property. The area we are looking at is Devon. Will your solicitors be able to act for both sets of mortgage companies and tie in the conveyances?
Do use our comparison tool on this site to be sure that the solicitors are on the appropriate lender panels. Having checked that they are the lawyer should be able to tie up the two conveyancing matters but you should talk with you lawyer and make clear your expectations and needs.
Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Devon?
Conveyancing - in Devon or anywhere in England and Wales - is the legal term given to transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It involves the checking of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you are buying and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you a powerful reason for negotiating the purchase price down or asking the seller to remedy the defects before you complete your move.