I am selling my flat in Portsmouth. Will the solicitor need to be on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. It might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently in recent years.
I am purchasing a house and the conveyancer has referenced Chancel Repair for which the house could be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. She has mentioned insurance. Is this strictly appropriate for conveyancing in Portsmouth
Unless a previous purchase of the property took place after 12 October 2013 you can assume that conveyancing practitioners delivering conveyancing in Portsmouth to continue to propose a a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
How does conveyancing in Portsmouth differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Portsmouth approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is ready to move into. This is because developers in Portsmouth usually purchase the site, 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 Portsmouth or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Portsmouth is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?
Flying freeholds in Portsmouth are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Portsmouth you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Portsmouth may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.
I am looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Portsmouth for my home move. Can I review a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?
One can search for documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator may monitor call for training requirements.
How up-to-date is your search tool for the mortgage company conveyancing panel in Portsmouth? Do the mortgage companies send you an updated list?
Portsmouth law firm practices and firms carrying out conveyancing in Portsmouth themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the lender conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from the bank directly.