A relative advised me that if I am buying in Leatherhead I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Leatherhead conveyancing searches. It is a large report of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Leatherhead around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Leatherhead.
My wife and I purchased a terraced Edwardian house in Leatherhead. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Virgin Money. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Leatherhead and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the position with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the work.
How does conveyancing in Leatherhead differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Leatherhead contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is constructed. This is because developers in Leatherhead tend to 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Leatherhead or who has acted in the same development.
Are there any apps to help identify a Leatherhead law firm on the Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel? I have wheels and am prepared to travel upto 10miles to meet the lawyer.
You can use the tool on this page. Please select a mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Leatherhead conveyancing lawyers locally. We have listed some Leatherhead conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can telephone them to check if they are on the Chelsea Building Society member panel
In searching the web for the words cheap conveyancing in Leatherhead it brings up numerous property lawyersin the vicinity. With so much choice what is the best way to find the suitable solicitor for me?
The preferential method of finding a suitable conveyancer is via personal recommendation, so enquire of colleagues and those you trust who have purchased a property in Leatherhead or a local estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Leatherhead vary, so it's a good idea to obtain at least three estimates from varying types of solicitors. Dont forget to clarify that the costs are guaranteed not to to be inflated.
I am attracted to a couple of apartments in Leatherhead which have in the region of fifty years remaining on the leases. should I be concerned?
A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease shortens the saleability of the lease deteriorates and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. This is why it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this arena.
Leatherhead Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to buying
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What restrictions are contained in the Leatherhead Lease? Who are the managing agents? Make sure you investigate if there are any onerous prohibitions in the lease. For example it is reasonably common in Leatherhead leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Leatherhead. If you love the flatin Leatherhead yet your cat is not allowed to make the move with you then you will be presented with a hard determination.