A colleague suggested that if I am buying in Dorset I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
A search of this type is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Dorset conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Dorset around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Dorset.
Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Dorset prior to appointing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend refuse to grant a loan on a flying freehold property.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different instructions from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Dorset. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I was recommended by numerous property agents in Dorset to select a conveyancer using your seach tool. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to recommend your services ahead of a competitor’s?
We don’t give any financial incentive for directing people to this site. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Dorset for my purchase. Can I review a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
Anyone can read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could recorded telephone calls for training purposes.
Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 62 years unexpired on my lease in Dorset. I now wish to extend my lease but my landlord is can not be found. What should I do?
If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to find the freeholder. On the whole a specialist would be useful to try and locate and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Dorset.
Dorset Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying
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Be sure to enquire if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example it is reasonably common in Dorset leases that pets are not permitted in certain buildings in Dorset. If you love the apartmentin Dorset however your dog can’t live with you then you will be presented with a difficult determination. Is anyone aware of any major works anticipated that will increase the maintenance fees? The answer will be helpful as a) areas could result in problems for the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate if maintenance are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the managing agents you will need to know about it
Our lawyer in Dorset has informed me that he requires personal identification documents stating that this is part of his retainer as a solicitor on the mortgage company Solicitor panel. Is this right?
Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offence if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage, your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy the bank. This is not unique to conveyancing in Dorset