Just contacted my conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex who completed the legal work 18 months ago asking for a conveyancing quote based on an identical type of house move (a leasehold residence and a freehold property) of almost identical values with a mortgage from The Royal Bank of Scotland. It looks as though am now being charged double. Am I right to be tempted to shop around for a cheaper internet property lawyer?
The charges are a little high. Where you are willing to expend time scrutinising costs you may be able to decrease the fees slightly by perhaps £125. That being said, providing that you were happy with the legal work the firm offered you maylive to rue choosing an a cheaper solicitor. Remember to ensure that the solicitor can act for The Royal Bank of Scotland. You can employ our search tool to select a West Sussex conveyancing firm on the The Royal Bank of Scotland approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in West Sussex.
We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to instruct their panel lawyer as I would much rather instruct a West Sussex based conveyancing firm?
You should check but the chances are that allocate you one of their panel solicitors should you want the "fee-free" deal. Speak to the lender and ask if they allow a cash alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am wet behind the ears as FTB of a two bedroom flat in West Sussex. Do I collect the keys to the premises on the completion date from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will use a local conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will electronically transfer the completion advance to the vendor’s conveyancers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be invited to receive the keys from the selling Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen between 1 and 3pm.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in West Sussex. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Team at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
Yorkshire BS have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a property in West Sussex has been accepted, what are the next steps?
Your estate agent will need to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the bank’s approved list). Telephone Yorkshire BS or the broker and finish off any outstanding forms. Yorkshire BS will appoint a valuer who will get in contact with the selling agent or vendor to schedule a slot for the valuation to take place. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight to receive the mortgage offer. Yorkshire BS will issue the offer to you and your conveyancers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in West Sussex.
Various internet forums that I have come across warn that are the number one cause of delay in West Sussex house deals. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the most frequent causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in West Sussex.
I am buying my first flat in West Sussex benefiting from help to buy. The developers refused to move on the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The property agent suggested that I not reveal to my lawyer about the side-deal as it will adversely affect my mortgage with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and identified one near me in West Sussex I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in West Sussex in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor 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. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.