We are looking to buy a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in March who is on the RBS solicitor panel. Can you recommend a local solicitor?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for RBS . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in March.
My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in March. I need to find out if they are accepted on the Halifax approved list of lawyers. Can you advise?
The first thing to do is e-mail the solicitor and ask them if they can act for the lender. Otherwise you can get in touch with Halifax who may be able to confirm.
Should my conveyancer be making enquiries about flooding as part of the conveyancing in March.
Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in March. Plenty of people will purchase a house in March, fully aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, satisfactory building insurance, or sell the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.
Lawyers are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, but there are a various checks that may be initiated by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which should give them a better appreciation of the risks in March. The standard information given to a purchaser’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard inquiry of the seller to find out if the premises has ever been flooded. If the residence has been flooded in past which is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer may issue a claim for damages as a result of such an incorrect answer. The purchaser’s conveyancers should also order an environmental search. This should reveal if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries will need to be initiated.
The deeds to our home are lost. The lawyers who handled the conveyancing in March 10 years ago no longer exist. What are my next steps?
Assuming you have a registered title the details of your proprietorship will be evidenced by the Land Registry under a Title Number. It is possible to carry out a search at the Land Registry, locate your property and order current copies of the property title for less than a fiver. Where the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will also normally hold a certified duplicate of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be obtained for a small fee.
I decided to have a survey done on a house in March in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. Our surveyor has said that some lenders may refuse to issue a mortgage on such a premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you e-mail us we can check via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in March. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Me and my wife accepted an offer on a March apartment left to us some years ago in 2011. I have over a decades worth of conveyancing experience and, now retired, see no reason not to conduct the legal work. The purchaser's solicitor has informed me that their Lenders will not allow you to do your own conveyancing requiring the funds to be transferred to a solicitor's bank account.
Mortgage requirements to conveyancers from all mainstream lenders specify that If the vendor does not have legal representation the purchaser’s lawyers should check whether the mortgage company needs to be informed so that a decision can be reached as to whether they are willing to progress.