We were just about to exchange contracts for a garden flat in Matlock. We encountered a problem. Our mortgage offer with Halifax runs out on 16/1/2026 but the sellers are insisting on a completion date of 20/1/2026. Is it possible to extend the loan expiry date?
The person best placed to deal with your issue is your conveyancer who will calculate whether he or she is should be discussing with the lender, seller’s representatives, property agents or indeed all parties based on what has happend in your conveyancing to date.
I purchased a freehold residence in Matlock but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Matlock and has limited impact for conveyancing in Matlock 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 have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
Please explain the implications if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Lloyds Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Matlock?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
We are intent on selling our house in Matlock and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a possibility that the property was built on contaminated land. A high street Matlock lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the purchasers used a web based conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Matlock. We have lived in Matlock for 4 years we know that this is a non issue. Do we contact our local Authority to seek clarification that there is no issue.
It would appear that you have a conveyancing solicitor already. Are they able to advise? You must enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same illness)
How does conveyancing in Matlock differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Matlock contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because new home sellers in Matlock typically acquire the real estate, 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 conveyancers 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 Matlock or who has acted in the same development.
I'm buying a house in Matlock. I can find my conveyancer's company on the Law Society's list, but I can't locate my conveyancer's name as listed on the regulator's website. Should I be concerned?
Not all staff in the law firm must be listed by the regulator. As long there is someone qualified to 'oversee' the transaction, the actual day-to-day activity can be conducted by unlicensed staff.