My wife and I are buying a flat in New Forest. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a lawyer? At some point we have to put money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?
Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.
I am purchasing a property in New Forest. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. UBS have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As your lender is UBS your lawyer must check the formal requirements contained in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for UBS. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook sets out minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to UBS where a lease does not satisfy these provisions. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to New Forest.
The formalities of my remortgage has taken place for my property in New Forest. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Team at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
What does a local search inform me concerning the property we're buying in New Forest?
New Forest conveyancing often commences with the ordering local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search company for instance PSG The local search is essential in every New Forest conveyancing purchase; as long as you don’t want any unpleasant once you have moved into your new home. The search will supply data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject areas.
My wife and I have a semi-detached Georgian house in New Forest. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Platform Home Loans Ltd. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in New Forest and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the position with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in New Forest differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in New Forest come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because house builders in New Forest usually 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in New Forest or who has acted in the same development.
My brother has encouraged me to appoint his lawyers for conveyancing in New Forest. Should I use them?
No doubt it’s preferable to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to seek recommendations from friends or relatives who have actually experience in using the firm that you are contemplating using.
A couple of weeks ago I was advised by my bank that their approved lawyers work on no completion no charge basis for conveyancing in New Forest. I had a purchase abort and now the lawyers want search fees! They are claiming that the fees are independent!
in offering "no sale no fee" New Forest conveyancing practices are writing off their fees for any work done. We must stress this does not constitute an insurance scheme. you will still be expected to pay for any costs that the conveyancing practitioner has expended on your behalf for instance New Forest local authority searches