I was advised recently by my broker that my Sunderland the law firm I have appointed is not on the bank Solicitor panel. How can I be certain that this is indeed the case?
The first thing you need to do is to call your Sunderland conveyancer. You lawyer should notify you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the approved list of lawyers for your mortgage company.
Are the BSA intent on creating a online directory to to identify solicitors on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society conveyancing panel for instance in Sunderland?
We would not expect to be advised of any intention on the part of the BSA to promote such a search facility.
How does conveyancing in Sunderland differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Sunderland approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because builders in Sunderland tend to acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Sunderland or who has acted in the same development.
I am looking for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one round the corner in Sunderland I like with a park and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Sunderland for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be an issue. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.
I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Sunderland for my home move. Is it possible to review a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?
One may read documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor call for training reasons.
I have today placed an offer on a leasehold flat in Sunderland and the broker that we are using recommended his solicitor. He quoted a thousand pounds excluding VAT and disbursements. Does this sound reasonable?
You should not rely on a single estimate. One should obtain like-for-like quotes for your conveyancing in Sunderland. Then pick one that you are comfortable with and crucially, is on the approved list of the lender that you have applied for a mortgage from.