Last August we completed a house move in St Helier. We have noticed several problems with the house which we believe were missed in the conveyancing searches. What action can we take? Can you clarify the nature of searches that needed to have been ordered for conveyancing in St Helier?
The question is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are unique to conveyancing in St Helier. Conveyancing searches and investigations undertaken during the buying process are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the process, the vendor fills in a form referred to as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information turns out to be inaccurate, 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 St Helier.
We are purchasing a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in St Helier who is on the Nottingham approved panel. Can you recommend a local firm?
Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nottingham . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in St Helier.
Me and my partner are buying a house in St Helier. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a solicitor? On the day of competition we will need to put our life savings into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our monies?
Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as RBS, do St Helier solicitors face a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are unaware of any lender fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
We were going to get a OIP from HSBC 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 HSBC recommend any St Helier solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint St Helier solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the HSBC conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and HSBC through the process.
I understand that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Do I need this when purchasing a residence in St Helier? or I am told that there is a law dating back centuries that could mean that homeowners residing in a parish church boundary may be liable to pay for maintenance to the chancel in proximity to the church. Is this appropriate for conveyancing in St Helier?
Unless a previous purchase of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you may assume that solicitors conducting conveyancing in St Helier to remain recommending a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my house can not be found. The lawyers who did the conveyancing in St Helier 5 years ago no longer exist. What are my options?
You no longer need to have the physical original deeds to prove you are the registered proprietor of land or property, as the Land Registry have everything they need in a digital format.
I only have 68 years remaining on my flat in St Helier. I need to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What are my options?
On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to locate the landlord. On the whole an enquiry agent should be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering St Helier.
I inherited a ground flat in St Helier. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum payable for the purchase of the freehold?
if there is a absentee landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the LVT to make a decision on the amount due.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a St Helier residence is Buchanan Court 39 Vernon Road in April 2010. the Tribunal assessed that the premium payable for the freehold of the block should be £44,000. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 66.67 years.