We are about to sign contracts for a freehold house in Romney. We have hit a problem. The mortgage offer with Coventry Building Society expires on 8/12/2025 but the owners are putting forward a completion date of 10/12/2025. Can one prolong the mortgage expiry date?
The person best placed to address this concern is your conveyancer who should determine if he or she is better off negotiating with the mortgage broker, owner’s lawyers, estate agents or indeed all parties based on the circumstances your conveyancing as of today.
Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Romney costs more?
In summary, leasehold conveyancing in Romney and elsewhere usually involve more hours of investigation compared to freehold conveyancing. This includes checking the lease terms, corresponding with the landlord concerning serving appropriate notices, procuring current service charge and management information, procuring the freeholder’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first entered into.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am new to the process as a 1st time buyer of a ground floor flat in Romney. Do I pick up the keys to the house on the completion date from my conveyancer? If this is the case, I will appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Romney?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will transfer the purchase money to the owner’s solicitors, and once they have received this, you will be called to collect the keys from the selling Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen early afternoon.
We expect to receive a DIP from Barclays this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do Barclays recommend any Romney solicitors on the Barclays conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint Romney solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Barclays conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and Barclays through the process.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Romney off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. 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 Kent Reliance, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.
The deeds to my property can not be found. The conveyancers who conducted the conveyancing in Romney 4 years ago are no longer around. What are my options?
Nowadays there are duplicates made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware precisely where to locate all the relevant documentation so you can purchase or sell your house without any difficulty. Where duplicates are not available, your conveyancer can arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against future claims on your premises.
We are 14 days into a leasehold purchase having been referred to conveyancers by the local agent to execute conveyancing in Romney. I am am extremely frustrated with the quality of service. Can you you assist me in finding new solicitors?
They would have to be very bad in order to consider changing them. Has your loan offer been sent? If so you must inform them of the new contact details and get the offer are re-issued. Your new conveyancer should be on the mortgage company panel to avoid supplemental costs and frustration. That should be your starting point. The find a solicitor tool can assist you in finding a lender approved solicitor for your home move in Romney
All being well we will complete the disposal of our £425,000 apartment in Romney on Tuesday in a week. The managing agents has quoted £396 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a flat conveyance in Romney?
Romney conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes often involves the buyer’s conveyancer sending questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address these enquiries the majority will be content to assist. They may charge a reasonable administration fee for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some cases it is above £800. The administration charge invoiced by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the invoice is technically not due. In reality you have no option but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to complete the sale of your home.
I own a studio flat in Romney, conveyancing having been completed in 2000. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Similar properties in Romney with over 90 years remaining are worth £265,000. The ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2101
You have 76 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £8,600 and £9,800 plus costs.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.