My brother and I have just acquired a house in Hitchin. We have noticed several problems with the house which we believe were overlooked in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? Can you clarify the nature of searches that needed to have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Hitchin?
It is not clear from the question as what problems have arisen and if they are specific to conveyancing in Hitchin. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated as part of the legal transfer of property are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor answers a form referred to as a SPIF. answers is incorrect, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Hitchin.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Hitchin?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Hitchin. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Hitchin before retaining solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to issue a mortgage on such a home.
It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to telephone us we can investigate further with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hitchin. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Hitchin to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.
I was pointed in your direction by numerous estate agents in Hitchin to locate a conveyancer on your site. Is there a financial advantage for Estate Agents to market your site over alternative conveyancing organisations?
We don’t make any financial incentive for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Hitchin for my house move. Is there any facility to review a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?
Anyone may read presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations started on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor telephone calls for training purposes.
Me and my partner are buying a three room flatin Hitchin with a loan from a lender. We wish to instruct our conveyancer in Hitchin however our mortgage company says he's not approved on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct from the our bank panel firms or stay with our Hitchin conveyancer and pay for one of their panel ones to represent our bank. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The lender mortgage issued is subject to conditions, one of which will be that solicitors will on the lender's conveyancing panel. in the past, most lenders had open panels, including almost all conveyancing solicitors in Hitchin : 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. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for your lender.