We are buying a 2 bedroom apartment in Usk with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Usk conveyancer, however the lender advise she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to appoint one of the bank panel firms or continue with our Usk conveyancing practitioner and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; can we not require that the lender use our Usk solicitor ?
Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Usk conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Do I need to visit the offices of the solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Usk so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
As opposed to ten years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel lawyer to witness the mortgagors signature. It will still be necessary for you to hand over ID documents and there are still manifest advantages to using a local solicitor, in your situation a conveyancing solicitor in Usk.
What can a local search reveal regarding the property my wife and I buying in Usk?
Usk conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search organisations for example Onsearch The local search plays a central part in many a Usk conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty once you have moved into your property. The search should provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the premises (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 13 subject areas.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Usk?
Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in Usk. 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…’
My brother has suggested that I appoint his conveyancers in Usk. Should I use them?
There are no two ways about it it’s preferable to choose a conveyancing solicitor is to seek referrals from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor that you are considering.
I have just started marketing my garden flat in Usk. Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon, however I have just had a yearly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?
It best that you discharge the service charge as usual because all rents and maintenance payments will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.
Usk Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries Prior to buying
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What is the the remaining lease term?  The best form of lease arrangement is where the freehold reversion is owned by the leaseholders. In this scenario the lessees enjoy being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is usually retained where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders.  Is there a share of the freehold? 
