Can the conveyancing solicitors that you recommend handle conveyancing in Sidcup by way of an attended exchange?
We do have a number of conveyancing experts who can conduct one day exchanges. Please call us to secure a conveyancing quote and details as to availability.
I am the registered owner of a freehold residence in Sidcup but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Sidcup and has limited impact for conveyancing in Sidcup but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the Nottingham Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Sidcup?
The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
I am helping my aunt sell her flat in Sidcup. Does the conveyancing solicitor order an energy performance certificate or it is for the owner to coordinate?
Following the abolition of Home Packs, energy performance certificates was maintained a compulsory part of selling a property. An EPC must be to hand prior to the property being placed on the market. It is not something that solicitors ordinarily arrange. If you are instructing a Sidcup conveyancing solicitor they may help arrange energy assessments given their contacts with reputable Sidcup energy assessors
I am purchasing a property in Sidcup. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Kent Reliance be concerned?
Given that your lender is Kent Reliance your lawyer must follow the conveyancing requirements contained in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Kent Reliance. The CML Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and lawyers are required to report to Kent Reliance where a lease fails to meet these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not restricted to Sidcup.
My wife and I are in the throws of looking at apartments in Sidcup and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it advisable to have my lawyer on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a mortgage with UBS.
It would be prudent to start your search sooner rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the EA. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with UBS, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the UBS conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
I'm purchasing a new build house in Sidcup with the aid of help to buy. The sellers refused to reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The sale representative suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about this deal as it will affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
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 UK Finance website. UK Finance 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.
I own a leasehold house in Sidcup. Conveyancing and National Westminster Bank mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Sidcup who acted for me is not around. Do I pay?
The first thing you should do is contact the Land Registry to make sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Sidcup conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
After months of correspondence we are unable to agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Sidcup. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?
Most certainly. We can put you in touch with a Sidcup conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Sidcup premises is 103a Footscray Road in January 2014. The tribunal determines that the premium payable for the extended lease should be £34,500 according to the expert witness valuation calculation This case related to 1 flat.