My previous conveyancer has quoted £1700 for leasehold conveyancing in Forest Hill. I am looking to sell a purpose built house for £300,000. Are these conveyancing fees excessive? Is it above the average fee for conveyancing in Forest Hill?
The estimate does seem marginally steep. If you are content to invest time scrutinising charges you may be able to reduce the fees marginally by as much as £100 plus VAT. That being said, you couldcome to regret opting for an an untested solicitor. Don't forget to ensure the solicitor can also act for your lender. You can utilise our search tool to get a quote a Forest Hill conveyancing firm on the lender’s approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Forest Hill.
My nephew is in the process of securing a new build apartment in Forest Hill with a mortgage from Lloyds. His solicitor has advised him of a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. Who needs to receive the form?
The form is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Lloyds conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when asked. The developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it. The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Lloyds conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
Is it the case that all Forest Hill solicitor firms on the HSBC conveyancing panel are governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the HSBC approved list of solicitors they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. The majority of mortgage companies do list licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be governed by the CLC.
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Clydesdale. Forest Hill conveyancing lawyers were appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Clydesdale?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Clydesdale conducted the survey? Have you informed Clydesdale as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.
I am purchasing a property in Forest Hill. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Santander be concerned?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Santander your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions set out in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Santander. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum conditions for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Santander where a lease fails to satisfy these requirements. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to Forest Hill.
Is it necessary to take out insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when purchasing a residence in Forest Hill?
Unless a previous purchase of the property completed after 12 October 2013 you may assume that lawyers delivering conveyancing in Forest Hill to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
Me and my brother have a terraced Victorian property in Forest Hill. Conveyancing practitioner represented me and Barclays . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be 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 Forest Hill 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 lenders. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the work.
Should I be suspicious about third parties that I am dealing with are recommending an internet conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Forest Hill conveyancing company?
As is the case with many professional services, often referrals from family and friends can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are numerous people with a keen interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and lenders might all suggest lawyers to use. On occasion these solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but sometimes there exists a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You are free to choose your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that many lenders operate an approved list of lawyers you have to use for the mortgage aspect of your home move.