As someone unfamiliar with the South Kensington conveyancing process what’s the number one tip you can impart for the house moving process in South Kensington
Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in South Kensington and elsewhere in West London is often a confrontational process. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists plenty of room for conflict between you and others involved in the home moving process. E.g., the vendor, selling agent and on occasion a bank. Choosing a solicitor for your conveyancing in South Kensington is a critical decision as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONE person in the transaction whose responsibility is to act in your best interests and to protect you.
Every so often a third party with a vested interest will attempt to sway you that it is in your interests to do things their way. As an example, the estate agent may claim to be assisting by suggesting your lawyer is wrong. Or your mortgage broker may tell you to do take action that is contrary to your lawyers recommendation. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.
Can I be sure that the South Kensington conveyancing solicitor on the Skipton panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in South Kensington getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one advertising the lowest fees. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer conducting your conveyancing.
It is unclear whether my bank requires a lease extension. I have called into my local South Kensington building society branch on numerous occasions and was reassured it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My South Kensington conveyancing solicitor - who is on the lender conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply don't know who is right.
Provided that the conveyancer is on the bank panel, she or he must adhere to the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook conditions for the bank. 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 mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.
Coventry BS have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a house in South Kensington has been agreed to, what are the next steps?
Your property agent will wish to know who your solicitors are (make sure the property lawyers are on the lender’s approved list). Call up Coventry BS or your broker and finalise any appropriate paperwork. Coventry BS will appoint a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or seller to schedule a time for the valuation to occur. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight for the mortgage offer to be issued. Coventry BS will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in South Kensington.
What can a local search tell me concerning the property my wife and I buying in South Kensington?
South Kensington conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company such as Onsearch The local search plays a central role in most South Kensington conveyancing purchase; that is if you don’t want any unpleasant surprises after you move into your new home. The search should supply data on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic sections.
Given that I will soon part with hundreds of thousands of pounds on a property in South Kensington I wish to talk to a solicitor about myconveyancing in advance of giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?
Absolutely - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the conveyancer who will be carrying out your property ownership legalities in South Kensington.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is unique person, not a case reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are provided with for residential conveyancing in South Kensington should be the amount on the final invoice that you are charged.
I am using a search engine for the words cheap conveyancing in South Kensington it brings up many property lawyerslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right solicitor for me?
The best method of choosing a suitable conveyancer is via trusted referral, so ask friends and family who have acquired a property in South Kensington or a reputable estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in South Kensington differ, so it's a good idea to request a minimum of four quotes from varying types of property lawyers. Make sure that you know that the costs are guaranteed not to increase.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in South Kensington. Conveyancing and Lloyds TSB Bank mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in South Kensington who acted for me is not around. Any advice?
The first thing you should do is contact the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to instruct a South Kensington conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
After years of correspondence we simply can't agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in South Kensington. Does the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have jurisdiction to calculate the appropriate figures?
if there is a missing freeholder or where there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the premium.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a South Kensington property is Flat 16 21/22 Stanhope Gardens in November 2010. the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal concluded that the premium to be paid by the tenant on the grant of a new lease, in accordance with section 56 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, was £106,975 This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 51.93 years.