What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Tunstall? What am I being asked for?
Tunstall conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property lawyers accross the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.
Conveyancing clients will need to supply two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (usually a Bank Statement no more than three months).
Evidence of the origin of monies is also necessary in accordance with the money laundering laws as lawyers are duty bound to investigate that the money you are utilising to acquire a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase monies where you are buying mortgage free) has originated from legitimate source (such as an inheritance) and is not the proceeds of illegitimate activity.
About to place an offer on a leasehold property in Tunstall. The estate agents tell me that it is the norm for flats in Tunstall to have less than 75 years left on the lease. I am getting a loan with Bank of Ireland. Will the property be mortgageable given that the lease has 69 years left.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Bank of Ireland have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 1/9/2025 the requirements read as follows :
This question may be naive but I am wet behind the ears as a first time buyer of a garden flat in Tunstall. Do I receive the keys to the premises on the completion date from my conveyancer? If so, I will instruct a local conveyancing solicitor in Tunstall?
On the day of completion you will not be required to attend the conveyancers office in Tunstall. Conveyancing lawyers for you will transfer the completion advance to the owner’s solicitors, and once they have received this, you will be able to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this occurs early afternoon.
We previously chose conveyancers based in Tunstall on the Nationwide solicitor approved list. They have just billed me a separate sum for dealing with the Nationwide mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Nationwide?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your property lawyer is entitled to charge a fee for this. The fee is not dictated by Nationwide but by your Tunstall lawyer. Numerous firms on the Nationwide panel will quote ’dealing with mortgage’ fee and others do not.
I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Tunstall 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 normal?
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 Tunstall 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.
How do I identify a Tunstall solicitor on the Yorkshire Building Society conveyancing panel? I have wheels and am happy to travel upto 20miles to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the tool on this website. Please select a lender and your location and you will see a number of Tunstall conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have detailed some Tunstall conveyancing firms at the bottom of this page and you can telephone them to see whether they are on the Yorkshire Building Society panel
My brother has urged me to use his conveyancers in Tunstall. Should I find my own solicitor?
There are no two ways about it the ideal way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to have recommendations from friends or relatives who have actually experience in using the solicitor that you are contemplating using.
Are there any specific advantages to using a local lawyer in Tunstall
A significant proportion of house movers in Tunstall decide on using a nearby high street property lawyer so that they can attend the lawyer’s offices if they have problems, and to sign paperwork rather than depending on the post.
There is a marginal benefit in selecting a lawyer nearby to the property you are buying, due to the in-depth knowledge of the locality and possible local issues - nevertheless this is debatable. Most conveyancers carry out their work via email and may be almost anywhere.