My wife and I have lately purchased a property in West Hampstead. We have since encountered a number of problems with the property which we consider were omitted in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been ordered as part of conveyancing in West Hampstead?
The query is vague as what problems have arisen and if they are unique to conveyancing in West Hampstead. Conveyancing searches and due diligence initiated during the buying process are carried out to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, the vendor completes a form referred to as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information provided is incorrect, 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 West Hampstead.
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in West Hampstead costs more?
In short, leasehold conveyancing in West Hampstead and North London usually necessitates more hours of investigation compared to freehold conveyancing. This includes checking the lease terms, liaising with the landlord concerning serving applicable notices, obtaining current service charge and management information, procuring the landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first entered into.
How do I discover of the solicitor carrying out my conveyancing in West Hampstead is on the bank’sapproved panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Bank of Scotland thus paying £175.00 in additional conveyancing invoice.
Feel free to take advantage of the search tool on this site. Pick the lender and type ‘West Hampstead’ or your preferred area and you will be presented with a number of lawyer based in West Hampstead or near you.
My wife and I are purchasing a house in West Hampstead. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a conveyancer? On the day of competition we have to send funds into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our deposit?
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.
I'm the single beneficiary of my late father’s estate with all property in now in my sole name, including the my former home in West Hampstead. The West Hampstead property was put into my name in April. I want to move. I do know about the CML 6 month 'rule', meaning my property ownership could be considered the same way as if I'd bought the house in April. Do I have to wait half a year to sell?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook requires conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you may be caught by that. How practical a view banks take of it, depend on the lender as this provision is primarily there to identify the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of property.
I recently had an offer accepted on an apartment in West Hampstead. My financial adviser recommended their conveyancers. I paid an upfront payment of £150. A few days later, the solicitor contacted me to say that they were not on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?
You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Bank of Ireland panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.
I opted to have a survey completed on a property in West Hampstead ahead of appointing solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to grant a loan on such a property.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. If you call us we can look into this further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in West Hampstead. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
We are looking to purchase a repossessed flat in West Hampstead and the mortgagee in possession demand completion within a month. Do conveyancing practitioners meet that timeframe? Would it be better to select a high street West Hampstead firm or an online conveyancer that professes to offer speedy conveyancing?
Visit your West Hampstead high street. Go in to a couple of solicitor’s offices and request to talk to a conveyancing solicitor for an estimate. Discuss your needs and try and obtain assurances on speed. Choose the one that appears most genuine. Make sure to select a lawyer on the panel of solicitors approved by your mortgage company.