Our family solicitor has quoted £1150 for freehold conveyancing in Swansea City. I’m hoping to downsize from a newly refurbished detached home for £300,000. Is this too much? Is it above the norm for conveyancing in Swansea City?
The charges are a bit high. Where you are willing to expend time comparing prices you may be able to get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by say £100 plus VAT. That being said, you mightlive to regret opting for an an unknown conveyancer. Remember to ensure that the firm can also act for your mortgage company. You can make use of our search tool to get a quote a Swansea City conveyancing firm on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Swansea City.
What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Swansea City? Is this really warranted?
Swansea City conveyancing solicitors and indeed property practitioners throughout the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client with a view to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients are required to produce two forms of certified ID; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill no older than three months).
Confirmation of source of funds is also necessary under the money laundering laws as solicitors have a duty to investigate that the monies you are utilising to buy a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase monies if you are buying without a mortgage) has originated from legitimate source (such as employment savings) and is not the proceeds of illegitimate behaviour.
How can we tell if a Swansea City conveyancing solicitor on the Co-operative panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Swansea City obtaining 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 carrying out your conveyancing.
The formalities of my purchase has taken place for my property in Swansea City. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are resolved effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.
Having digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Swansea City solicitor - who is on the Nationwide conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Nationwide will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Nationwide will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Swansea City surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in Swansea City?
Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Swansea City. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Swansea City prior to retaining conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will refuse to give a loan on a flying freehold home.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Swansea City. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
Is it best to use a Swansea City conveyancing lawyer based in the area that I am buying? We have a good friend who can execute the conveyancing however his firm is located 400miles drive away.
The primary upside of using a local Swansea City conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign documents, hand in your ID and pester them if necessary. They will also have local intelligence which is a plus. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who instructed your friend and in the main were impressed that should surpass using an unknown Swansea City conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being Swansea City based.