I am in the market for a low cost conveyancer. Should I go for for an internet conveyancer or a high street West Sussex conveyancing lawyer?
Existing third party connections is an important consideration when choosing conveyancing solicitors. West Sussex conveyancers often have long term relationships with financial advisers and property, local authorities, surveyors and other conveyancing firms meaning the whole process is going to be much more straightforward for you. Hosting years of experience in the local area also helps too.
We have rather pushy sellers who has suggested a exclusivity contract with a non-refundable deposit of 5k. Are such agreements sensible?
This type of agreement isn't common in West Sussex, conveyancers will often encourage clients away from them as they detract from focusing on the primary focus, namely conveyancing and if you end up losing your deposit then the lawyer is left exposed. In addition, there is no guarantee that just because the vendor has signed a lock out agreement they will sell to you. They may breach the contract if they receive a large enough offer to do so because a wronged buyer with the benefit of a lockout agreement will still be obliged show losses as a consequence of the breach and these may not equalise the financial benefit that the owner may obtain by breaching the agreement, however morally reprehensible it undoubtedly is.
Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in West Sussex costs more?
West Sussex leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve additional investigations than freeholds including investigating the Lease, liaising with the Landlord such as serving applicable notices on the Landlord or managing agent, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining Landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts and formation documents.
I am helping my step-mother sell her flat in West Sussex. Does the conveyancer arrange an EPC or do I organise this?
Following the abolition of HIPs, EPC’s remained a required element of selling a house. An EPC needs to be to hand in advance of the property being marketed. This is not a task that lawyers normally organise. If you are instructing a West Sussex conveyancing lawyer they may be willing to arrange EPC’s given their contacts with reputable local accredited person
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Yorkshire BS, do West Sussex solicitors face an annual charge to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are unaware of any lender fees to be on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in West Sussex. I have a mortgage offer with Yorkshire BS. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Yorkshire BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel.
A friend advised me that where I am purchasing in West Sussex I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
A search of this type is occasionally included in the estimate for your West Sussex conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about West Sussex around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the West Sussex Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, West Sussex Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about West Sussex.
I have been on the look out for a flat up to £245,000 and found one close by in West Sussex I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 49 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in West Sussex for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?
Should you need a home loan that many years will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the premises for at least 2 years you can ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.