What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Greenwich? Is this really necessary?
Greenwich conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property lawyers accross the UK have an obligation under money laundering regulations to verify the ID of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to disclose two forms of certified identification; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (typically a Utility Bill less than 3 months old).
Evidence of the origin of funds is also required under the money laundering laws as lawyers have a duty to investigate that the monies you are utilising to acquire a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase price if you are buying mortgage free) has come from legitimate source (such as employment savings) as opposed to the product of illegitimate activity.
My wife and I purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Greenwich. The intention is to convert the garage to an office at the property.Will legal work on the property involve investigations to determine if these works were previously refused?
Your property lawyer should review the deeds as conveyancing in Greenwich will occasionally reveal restrictions in the title documents which prohibit categories of works or need the permission of a 3rd party. Certain works call for local authority planning permissions and approval under the building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these issues with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.
How can we know in advance if a Greenwich conveyancing solicitor on the RBS panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Greenwich obtaining recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always recommend that you speak with the lawyer handling your conveyancing.
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Leeds Building Society. Greenwich conveyancing practitioners were appointed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Leeds Building Society?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Leeds Building Society completed the valuation? Have you informed Leeds Building Society as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.
Various web forums that I have frequented warn that are the main cause of delay in Greenwich house deals. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the top 10 causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are unlikely to be the root cause of delay in conveyancing in Greenwich.
Hoping to buy a property located in Greenwich and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about Greenwich. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the Greenwich area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?
Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at Greenwich. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found
I want to let out my leasehold apartment in Greenwich. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Is permission from the freeholder required?
Even though your last Greenwich conveyancing lawyer is not around you can review your lease to check if it allows you to sublet the property. The rule is that if the lease is silent, subletting is permitted. There may be a precondition that you need to obtain consent from your landlord or other appropriate person prior to subletting. The net result is that you cannot sublet in the absence of first obtaining permission. The consent is not allowed to be unreasonably turned down. If your lease does not allow you to sublet you will need to ask your landlord for their consent.
I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on such issues? Can you recommend a Greenwich conveyancing firm to represent me?
in cases where there is a absentee freeholder or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to judgment on the sum to be paid.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Greenwich residence is 73 Walerand Road in August 2012. the result of the findings of the Tribunal led to a premium to be paid for the extended lease in respect of Flat 73 in the sum of £10,040. The premium applicable in respect of Flat 85 was £5,710. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 72 years.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the lender approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the lender solicitor panel.