My best friend’s step-father is a conveyancing practitioner. I expect that I'll be able to get preferential rates for conveyancing, However if that does not come materialise, what kind of costs should I be paying for conveyancing in Downton?
It’s prudent to look for 3 or more like-for-like conveyancing quotes. Do use our comparison tool on this page. You will notice that quotes seem to be different but the service one can expect are distinct between solicitors as is the case with the vast majority of professional services.
Our solicitor has identified a defect with the lease for the property we are buying in Downton. The seller’s lawyers have put forward title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor has advised that he must ensure that the lender is willing to move forward with this solution. Who is the client here, us or the bank?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the risk of a conflict of interest, you and the bank are the client. Your solicitor must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects with the lease so that the bank can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your property lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
The Downton conveyancing lawyers that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Downton have suddenly shut down. I chose them because I had to have a firm on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel and my previous Downton lawyer was not. I wrote them a cheque for £250 in advance. What do I do now?
If you have an estate agent involved then inform them immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to assist.
The deeds to my house are lost. The solicitors who did the conveyancing in Downton 4 years ago are no longer around. What are my next steps?
In today’s world there are duplicates made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware exactly where to look for all the appropriate documentation so you may buy or dispose of your house without a hitch. Where duplicates are not available, your lawyer may be able to arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against possible claims on your premises.
How straightforward is it to use the search app to get a fee calculation from a conveyancing practitioner in Downton on the panel for my mortgage?
Step one is to pick a lender such as Yorkshire Building Society, Skipton Building Society or Aldermore then type in your location for example Downton. Conveyancing firms in Downton and beyond will then be identified.
Is it best to use a Downton conveyancing solicitor based in the area that I am buying? We have a good friend who can conduct the legal formalities however his firm is located 400kilometers away.
The benefit of a high street Downton conveyancing practice is that you can attend the office to execute documents, deliver your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local intelligence which is a bonus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who instructed your friend and they were impressed that should surpass using an unfamiliar Downton conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being based in the area.