My wife and I are buying a 3 bedroom flat in Hackney with a mortgage. We wish to retain our Hackney lawyer, however the bank says she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have no option but to select one of the lender panel firms or continue with our Hackney conveyancing practitioner as well as pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Hackney conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Would the conveyancing lawyers identified via your search tool execute attended exchange conveyancing in Hackney?
There are a few conveyancing specialists carrying out personalised exchanges. Please e-mail us to obtain a conveyancing quote and details as to availability.
We had selected conveyancers based in Hackney on the Skipton solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a supplemental amount for the legal aspects of the Skipton mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Skipton?
As unfair as it may appear, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your conveyancing practitioner may levy a fee for this. The fee is not dictated by Skipton but by your Hackney property lawyer. Numerous firms on the Skipton panel will levy an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
We were going to get a OIP from Coventry BS this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Coventry BS recommend any Hackney solicitors on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?
You will need to appoint Hackney solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Coventry BS through the process.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Hackney off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Clydesdale. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Clydesdale, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel.
I used Stirling Law several years past for my conveyancing in Hackney. Now, I need the documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?
Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate 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 Hackney 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.
My husband and I are a couple of weeks into a residential purchase having been directed to conveyancers by the high street agent to handle our conveyancing in Hackney. I am not happy. Could you help me find new lawyers?
They would need to be really bad in order to consider diss instructing them. Has the loan offer been sent? If so you need to make them aware of the replacement lawyer and have the offer are re-issued. Your conveyancer needs to be on the lenders approved list to avoid escalating costs and complications. That should be your starting point. The search tool can help you find a lender approved lawyer for your home move in Hackney
There are only Sixty One years remaining on my lease in Hackney. I now want to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What should I do?
On the basis that 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 mean that your lease can be lengthened by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you have done all that could be expected to find the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent would be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Hackney.
I am the proprietor of a second floor flat in Hackney. In the absence of agreement between myself and the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the amount payable for a lease extension?
Where there is a absentee freeholder or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to arrive at the premium.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Hackney flat is 150 Amhurst Road in December 2013. The tribunal concluded that the premium to be paid by the applicant for the enfranchisement of the subject property was £43,500. This case affected 4 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 90 (or thereabouts).