I have just been advised by my broker that my Rayleigh property lawyer is not on the mortgage company Solicitor panel. How can I be sure if this is correct?
You need to contact your Rayleigh lawyer directly. You lawyer should advise you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your bank.
Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Rayleigh costs more?
Rayleigh leasehold properties involve far more paperwork than a freehold purchase, and therefore takes more time to examine and advise upon.Conveyancing will involve the lease having to be checked which is usually a lengthy document, queries raised to ensure that the covenants and conditions have been observed. If it is a flat there will be a management company in existence and the accounts of this will need to be checked and enquiries raised to ensure it is operating efficiently and that all monies due have been paid by the Seller to the company and if not ensuring that money is paid up to date or the appropriate undertakings obtained.
I am buying a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in Rayleigh who is on the Accord Mortgages Ltd approved. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Accord Mortgages Ltd in certain locations such as Rayleigh. We dont recommend any particular firm.
How does conveyancing in Rayleigh differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Rayleigh come to us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because developers in Rayleigh typically purchase 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Rayleigh or who has acted in the same development.
I am using a search engine for the term conveyancing in Rayleigh it reveals many solicitorsin the vicinity. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right property lawyer for me?
The best method of choosing the right conveyancer is via personal testimonial, so ask colleagues and family who have bought a property in Rayleigh or the respected estate agent or financial adviser. Fees for conveyancing in Rayleigh vary, so it's advisable to obtain at least three estimates from varying types of solicitors. Make sure that you know that the costs are assured not to increase.
Last July I purchased a leasehold house in Rayleigh. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?
In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.
If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).
Rayleigh Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries Prior to buying
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Are there any major works anticipated that will likely increase the service fees? Its a good idea to discover as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily matters such as the cleanliness of the common parts. Don't be shy to ask other people whether they are happy with their service. In conclusion, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and specifically how they are spending the funds. You should be aware that where the lease has fewer than 80 years it will have adverse implications on the salability of the flat. Check with your mortgage company that they are happy with the length of the lease. Leases with fewer than 80 years remaining means that you will probably have to extend the lease at some point and it is worth discovering how much this would cost. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the property for a couple of years before you are entitled to carry out a lease extension.