What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Oxted? What am I being asked for?
Oxted conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners throughout the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to disclose two forms of certified identification; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill no older than three months).
Proof of the origin of monies is also required under the money laundering laws as solicitors are required to check that the money you are utilising to buy a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase amount if you are buying mortgage free) has come from legitimate source (such as an inheritance) rather than the fruits of criminal behaviour.
My partner and I have organised the release of further monies on our home loan from UBS as we wish to carry out alterations to our home in Oxted. Do we need to select a local Oxted solicitor on the UBS conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
UBS do not ordinarily require a member of their conveyancing panel to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the UBS panel.
I am selling my house. I had a double glazing fitted in December 2008, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, RBS are being a right pain. The Oxted solicitor who is on the RBS conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but RBS are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do RBS have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that RBS have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why RBS may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
At last I have had an offer on an apartment in Oxted accepted, but there is a chain. The vendors have offered on a flat, but it’s not yet tied up, and have viewings of other flats in the pipeline. I have selected a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Oxted. What should be my next step? At what stage do I apply for the mortgage with Lloyds?
It is understandable to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur costs too early (mortgage application is in the region of £1k, then survey, Oxted conveyancing search fees, etc). First, you should check that your solicitor is on the Lloyds approved list. Concerning the subsequent phase this very much depends on the uniqueness of your case, motivation for this property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market many buyers will apply for the mortgage with Lloyds and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they ask their solicitor to move forward with searches.
I have been told that property searches are the primary reason for hinderance in Oxted house deals. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Oxted.
I'm converting the mortgage on my current property to a buy to let mortgage with Aldermore and intend to use the remaining equity as a down payment on another house. The area we are looking at is Oxted. Will your conveyancers be able to act for the two mortgage companies and link together the transactions?
Make use of our comparison tool on this site to be sure that the conveyancers are approved by both mortgage companies. Assuming that they are the solicitor should be able to simultaneously deal with the two conveyancing matters but you should talk with you solicitor and make clear your expectations and needs.
I am a fortnight into a residential purchase having been recommend to conveyancers by the selling agent to handle our conveyancing in Oxted. I am not happy. Could you help me find new lawyers?
They would have to be very bad to suggest changing them. Has your mortgage offer been sent? If so you need to inform them of the new contact details and get the mortgage documents are re-sent. Your new solicitor ideally needs to be on the banks approved list to avoid escalating costs and delays. So that should be your first question of the new conveyancers. Our search tool can help you find a lender approved conveyancer for your home move in Oxted
I have just appointed agents to market my garden apartment in Oxted.Conveyancing has not commenced however I have just had a half-yearly service charge demand – Do I pay up?
It best that you pay the service charge as usual as all ground rent and service invoices should be allottedon completion, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially