We are planning to acquire a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Doncaster who is on the Nationwide solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nationwide . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Doncaster.
Should our conveyancer be asking questions about flooding during the conveyancing in Doncaster.
Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in Doncaster. There are those who purchase a property in Doncaster, completely expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.
Solicitors are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, but there are a numerous checks that may be initiated by the buyer or by their conveyancers which should give them a better appreciation of the risks in Doncaster. The standard property information forms given to a purchaser’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a usual inquiry of the seller to determine if the property has suffered from flooding. If the property has been flooded in past and is not revealed by the vendor, then a purchaser may bring a compensation claim resulting from an incorrect response. A buyer’s lawyers may also conduct an environmental search. This will reveal whether there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries should be carried out.
I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in Doncaster. Now, I need the documents however the law firm has closed. What do I do?
Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Doncaster of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
How does conveyancing in Doncaster differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Doncaster come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because developers in Doncaster usually 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 used to new build conveyancing in Doncaster or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Doncaster ahead of instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to grant a loan on a flying freehold premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Halifax. If you contact us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Doncaster. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Doncaster. Conveyancing and Barnsley Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing solicitor in Doncaster who previously acted has long since retired. Any advice?
The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. It is not necessary to instruct a Doncaster conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. 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.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Doncaster - Sample of Queries before Purchasing
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What prohibitions are contained in the Doncaster Lease? Many Doncaster leasehold properties will have a service charge for maintenance of the building invoiced on behalf of the freeholder. Where you acquire the flat you will have to pay this contribution, usually quarterly throughout the year. This could differ from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large communal grounds. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, this is usually not a large sum, say about £50-£100 but you should to check as occasionally it could be surprisingly expensive. The prefered form of lease arrangement is where the freehold interest is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this scenario the leaseholders have control and although a managing agent is usually employed where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants.