We see that you have a post code search directory listing solicitors on the Santander conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for our conveyancing in Reading?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Santander conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Reading.
is it true that all Reading solicitor practices on the Nottingham conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Nottingham approved list of solicitors they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Some lenders do permit licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such organisation would be governed by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Reading. I have a mortgage offer with Skipton. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Skipton, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Skipton conveyancing panel.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have telephoned my Reading bank branch on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My Reading conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend based on their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply don't know who is right.
As long as the conveyancing practitioner is on the mortgage company approved list, they must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions for the lender. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
Should our lawyer be making enquiries regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Reading.
The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for solicitors dealing with homes in Reading. There are those who acquire a house in Reading, completely aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, adequate building insurance, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the buyer.
Lawyers are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, but there are a various checks that may be initiated by the purchaser or by their conveyancers which can figure out the risks in Reading. The standard completed inquiry forms sent to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) incorporates a standard question of the owner to find out if the premises has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer could issue a compensation claim resulting from an misleading response. The purchaser’s solicitors should also carry out an environmental search. This should higlight whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, more detailed inquiries will need to be carried out.
How does conveyancing in Reading differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Reading come to us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because new home sellers in Reading tend to 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 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 used to new build conveyancing in Reading or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Reading prior to appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor advised that some lenders may refuse to give a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Reading. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
As co-executor for the will of my grandmother I am selling a residence in Newport but reside in Reading. My lawyer (based 250 kilometers from merequires that I execute a statutory declaration before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Reading who can witness this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are based in Reading