Is the fact that my conveyancer in Robertsbridge is not listed on my lender's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of her conveyancing?
That is most likely an incorrect assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. Just recently a report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the Robertsbridge conveyancing practice and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for your bank.
Last May we completed a house move in Robertsbridge. We have noticed several problems with the house which we suspect were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? What searches should? have been conducted for conveyancing in Robertsbridge?
The question is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Robertsbridge. Conveyancing searches and investigations initiated during the legal transfer of property are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, a seller answers a form known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information turns out to be misleading, you could possibly take legal action against the seller for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Robertsbridge.
I am buying a garden flat in Robertsbridge. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Robertsbridge you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Robertsbridge.
I am purchasing a property in Robertsbridge. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Lloyds have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that your lender is Lloyds your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions outlined in Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Lloyds. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and conveyancers are required to report to Lloyds where a lease does not satisfy these requirements. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not isolated to Robertsbridge.
I am selling my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in October 2010, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, Kent Reliance are being pedantic. The Robertsbridge solicitor who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but Kent Reliance are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do Kent Reliance have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Kent Reliance have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Kent Reliance 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.
I have instructed a Robertsbridge lawyer having made sure that they are on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Bank of Ireland will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Bank of Ireland 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 property 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 Robertsbridge postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Bank of Ireland, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Robertsbridge.
I am buying a new build house in Robertsbridge with a mortgage from Santander. The developers would not move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The estate agent told me not reveal to my solicitor about the side-deal as it could adversely affect my loan with the lender. Is this normal?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
My father-in-law has encouraged me to appoint his conveyancing solicitors in Robertsbridge. Should I find my own property lawyer?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Robertsbridge conveyancing lawyer the ideal way to choose a conveyancing lawyer is to get feedback from friends or relatives who have actually previously instructed the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.