I have given 8 weeks notice to my existing landlord and must be out of my let out flat in Petworth by 16/12/2026. Conveyancing for my house purchase has just started. Is it possible to complete in six weeks as I wish to avoid having to move into short term accommodation?
The normal practice is not to serve notice for your letting until you have exchanged. If you have not previously done so, contact to your conveyancer and ask them to they chase the other solicitors, try to get a realistic time scale from them that all parties will work towards
It is is a decade since I bought my property in Petworth. Conveyancing lawyers have recently been instructed on the sale but I can't locate the title deeds. Is this a problem?
Don’t worry too much. First the deeds may be with your lender or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly the chances are that the land will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Petworth involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your home is unregistered it is more tricky but is not insurmountable.
If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Petworth what would it be?
It would be unwise to be seduced by the cheapest Petworth conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.
We expect to receive a OIP from Yorkshire BS this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Yorkshire BS recommend any Petworth solicitors on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer?
You will need to appoint Petworth solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Yorkshire BS through the process.
Having digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Petworth solicitor - who is on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Virgin Money will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Virgin Money will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Petworth postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Virgin Money, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Petworth.
How does conveyancing in Petworth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Petworth come to us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because builders in Petworth typically buy 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 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 Petworth or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in Petworth ahead of appointing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor has said that some banks tend not grant a loan on such a house.
It varies from the lender to lender. Santander has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Petworth. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Petworth especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Petworth.
In my capacity as executor for the will of my father I am disposing of a property in Swansea but reside in Petworth. My solicitor (based 300 kilometers awayhas requested that I sign a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Petworth to attest this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you should not be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Petworth based