I am expecting a mortgage offer from Halifax. My intention is to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer in Haslington. Does the Halifax Conveyancing panel exclude Licensed Conveyancers?
The Halifax approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders, represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I purchased a freehold premises in Haslington but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Haslington and has limited impact for conveyancing in Haslington but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be extinguished.
Please help - my lawyer says that defective lease insurance is necessary on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Haslington?
The right level of defective lease indemnity insurance depends on who your lender is. It would differ for example between Lloyds TSB Bank and Barnsley Building Society. Conveyancing practitioners as opposed to borrowers take out such insurances.
We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Coventry BS. Haslington conveyancing practitioners have been selected. How long does it take for Coventry BS to forward the offer to the lawyer?
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Coventry BS done the valuation? Have you advised Coventry BS as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Haslington. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £195,000 and found one close by in Haslington I like with a park and railway links in the vicinity, however it's only got 49 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Haslington suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
Should you require a mortgage that many years may be an issue. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.
In my capacity as executor for the will of my grandmother I am disposing of a house in Cardiff but reside in Haslington. My solicitor (who is 260 miles awayhas requested that I sign a statutory declaration prior to the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Haslington who can witness and place their company stamp on the document?
strictly speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are based in Haslington
I'm purchasing a apartment in Haslington. I have found my conveyancer's company on the Law Society's list, but I can't find my lawyer's name as listed on the regulator's website. Is this a big problem?
Not every individual in the law firm must be listed by the regulator. Provided there is someone qualified to 'oversee' the conveyancing, the actual day-to-day activity can be conducted by unlicensed staff.