Recently been in touch with my conveyancing lawyer in Hornchurch who acted for me 18 months ago requesting a conveyancing estimate based on an identical type of house sale & purchase (a leasehold premises and a freehold property) of almost identical values with a home loan from Virgin Money. It looks as though am now being quoted double. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for an alternative firm of conveyancing solicitor?
The estimate does seem a little overpriced. Where you are happy to spend time comparing quotes you might trim some of the cost by as much as £100 plus VAT. On the other hand, assuming were pleased with the conveyancing the firm offered you couldlive to rue choosing an a cheaper lawyer. Don't forget to be sure that the conveyancer can also act for Virgin Money. Do make use of our search tool to choose a Hornchurch conveyancing firm on the Virgin Money member panel, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Hornchurch.
We were just about to exchange contracts for a leasehold flat in Hornchurch. We encountered a snag. The loan offer with Norwich and Peterborough Building Society expires on 4/11/2025 but the owners are insisting on a completion date of 6/11/2025. Is it possible to prolong the mortgage offer?
The person best placed to deal with your issue is your conveyancer who should calculate whether they corresponding with the lender, seller’s conveyancers, estate agents or possibly all parties taking into account what has gone on in your conveyancing as of today.
If you had a top tip for choosing a conveyancing solicitor in Hornchurch what would it be?
It would be unwise to be seduced by the lowest Hornchurch conveyancing fees. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of time.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in Hornchurch. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.
I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Hornchurch solicitor - who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Kent Reliance will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Kent Reliance 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. You may wish to consider appointing your own Hornchurch surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
I used Action Conveyancing several years ago for my conveyancing in Hornchurch. I now require my file but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should 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 Hornchurch of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
I am buying my first flat in Hornchurch with a loan from Accord Mortgages Ltd. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not disclose to my lawyer about the extras as it will adversely affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a property in Hornchurch in advance of retaining lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor has said that some lenders tend not grant a mortgage on a flying freehold house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to telephone us we can investigate further with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hornchurch. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.