In the event thatI were to purchase a simple residential homein Hampshire for cash and dispense with a survey and no local authority searches how much could I expect to have to pay for conveyancing in Hampshire?
Any savings you would make would be isolated to the costs for searches. The solicitor is obliged to do the vast majority of work - money laundering, communicating with your vendors property lawyer, SDLT return, register the ownership etc. A marginal saving might be made by not having to register a mortgage but it will not be a lot.
We see that you have a search directory listing solicitors on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for our own conveyancing in Hampshire?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Lloyds conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Hampshire.
I am purchasing a terraced house in Hampshire. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Hampshire you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Hampshire.
Is it the case that all Hampshire solicitors on the Clydesdale conveyancing panel are overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Clydesdale approved list of solicitors they would need to be overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many banks do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel and in that case the firms would be regulated by the CLC.
Intending to buy a maisonette in Hampshire. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Santander conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Hampshire solicitor is on the Santander conveyancing panel.
Having digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Hampshire solicitor - who is on the TSB conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
TSB will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually TSB will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Hampshire postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with TSB, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Hampshire.
How does conveyancing in Hampshire differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Hampshire contact us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Hampshire typically buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Hampshire or who has acted in the same development.
How do I use the search facility to find a conveyancing practitioner in Hampshire on the authorised to act for my mortgage?
Step one is to select a bank such as HSBC Bank, Chelsea Building Society or Bank of Ireland then specify your location e.g. Hampshire. Conveyancing practices in Hampshire and beyond should be shown.